South Africa v England, 2015-16
Wisden's review of the third ODI, South Africa v England, 2015-16
15-Apr-2016
At Centurion, February 9, 2016 (day/night). South Africa won by seven wickets. Toss: England.
Hundreds by de Kock and Amla eased their side towards a ground-record chase against a subdued England. Their partnership of 239 was the second-highest for South Africa's first wicket in one-day internationals, and the eighth-highest by any team. As de Villiers had predicted after losing the toss,conditions improved greatly in the second innings: whereas England had encountered deliveries that stopped or kept low, South Africa enjoyed the extra zip under lights. Not that England helped their cause with their worst bowling of the series. They were either too full or short with the new balls,and lacked penetration mid-innings. Forecast thunderstorms failed to materialise, but South Africa remained ahead on Duckworth/Lewis, just in case. De Kock in particular took advantage of a shortish boundary, playing beautifully off his legs and becoming the youngest batsman, at 23 years 54 days,to register ten one-day hundreds, in only his 55th innings - another record, beating his partner Amla's mark of 57. Amla was less destructive, but a quick outfield rewarded his sweet timing. Though it proved way short, England's 318 for eight was their third-highest total against South Africa, and came despite a rare failure from Buttler, who clipped his first ball to leg gully. The enterprising Root hit five sixes in his best one-day score of 125 from 113 deliveries - England's highest against South Africa - while Hales completed his third half-century in a row. But the innings stuttered briefly in the final powerplay, and Root sacrificed himself after a mix-up with Stokes, when the ball ricocheted into the leg side via the bowler's stumps. Stokes went on to a 37-ball 53, before South Africa's openers kept the series alive.Man of the Match:Q. de Kock.
Hundreds by de Kock and Amla eased their side towards a ground-record chase against a subdued England. Their partnership of 239 was the second-highest for South Africa's first wicket in one-day internationals, and the eighth-highest by any team. As de Villiers had predicted after losing the toss,conditions improved greatly in the second innings: whereas England had encountered deliveries that stopped or kept low, South Africa enjoyed the extra zip under lights. Not that England helped their cause with their worst bowling of the series. They were either too full or short with the new balls,and lacked penetration mid-innings. Forecast thunderstorms failed to materialise, but South Africa remained ahead on Duckworth/Lewis, just in case. De Kock in particular took advantage of a shortish boundary, playing beautifully off his legs and becoming the youngest batsman, at 23 years 54 days,to register ten one-day hundreds, in only his 55th innings - another record, beating his partner Amla's mark of 57. Amla was less destructive, but a quick outfield rewarded his sweet timing. Though it proved way short, England's 318 for eight was their third-highest total against South Africa, and came despite a rare failure from Buttler, who clipped his first ball to leg gully. The enterprising Root hit five sixes in his best one-day score of 125 from 113 deliveries - England's highest against South Africa - while Hales completed his third half-century in a row. But the innings stuttered briefly in the final powerplay, and Root sacrificed himself after a mix-up with Stokes, when the ball ricocheted into the leg side via the bowler's stumps. Stokes went on to a 37-ball 53, before South Africa's openers kept the series alive.Man of the Match:Q. de Kock.