South Africa vs England, 5th ODI at Cape Town, , Feb 14 2016 - Ball by Ball Commentary

5.50pm: Well, it's been a humdinger of a series between two closely matched sides; and they are currently only Nos. 4 and 6 in the world, which tells you something about the standards teams have been reaching in ODIs over recent times. It won't mean much in six weeks but South Africa will always be able to treasure coming back from 2-0 down - they did so in Pakistan in 2003-04 and have done it again here (Bangladesh against Zimbabwe in 2004-05 and Pakistan in India in 2005 - in a six-match series - are the other occasions). George Dobell's report will paint the full picture of the day and we will be turning our attention to the T20s, ahead of the World T20, next week. Thanks for all your comments - now go and kiss the man/woman/other you love. This is Alan and Gnasher signing off our Valentine's Day gig. Let's hope he booked a table for tonight... Ta ra!

5.35pm: Presentations time, featuring Francois Pienaar, for some reason (like rugby? Go here)...

England's captain Eoin Morgan: "We were outplayed here today, we did have chances earlier in the series to win it but we weren't quite able to take the opportunities that came. We're a young side, we created opportunities but it wasn't quite enough. We know that 240 has been chased down here only a couple of times, anything above 250-260 we were in the game. It's a good challenge for us, getting past two experienced campaigners like that, trying to create chances against guys like that is new to us. We came here to win, produced some good performances, Alex, Jos, but it's disappointing it wasn't quite enough."

Alex Hales is named Man of the Series, despite finishing on the losing side: "Very mixed emotions, very close series throughout, we probably let ourselves down with the bat in the last couple of games, 40-50 short and we dropped a couple of catches in Joburg which cost us. [Different role out here?] Definitely, one of the key thing is being adaptable to all the different situations you face. We've got a really exciting side, we've recovered a lot since the World Cup, played some good cricket against four tough oppositions and we've learned a lot."

South Africa captain and Man of the Match AB de Villiers: "I've been a little bit off my game in the last month so it's nice to finish off like that. It's an integral part of being the captain and leading from the front, not just in the field, it's getting runs. I didn't think we were that far off in the first two ODIs, we just need a bit of confidence, it turned around in Centurion, my favourite ground in the world, we enjoyed ourselves at the Bullring and carried it into today. Guys chipped in through the line-up, even the guys on the sides, all 15 had a role to play in the series. Credit to them, they had a full go at us, didn't play badly in the last few games, they were all close ODIs, I guess the bounce of the ball just came our way, so congratulations to Eoin Morgan and the England side as well."

5.25pm: That was clinical, South Africa fittingly led home in the decider by their captain, AB de Villiers. It's been a wonderful comeback from them, only the fourth team to overturn a 2-0 deficit to win an ODI series. Ahead of the Centurion game, Hashim Amla said South Africa needed to win three consecutive finals and, by Jove, they have. England just never had enough on the board, having been bowled out in 45 overs and with only Alex Hales making a noteworthy score; but they had a sniff when Reece Topley took three early wickets and South Africa needed something from their two biggest guns to quieten the revolt.

"Why no mention of the C word with regard to England? The series was theirs to win," thunders EuniceH. They've not played well enough when it came to the crunch today, that's fair to say. But should be plenty of lessons for a young side to learn.

Here's Donepudi: "Alan, Wiese should be awarded as MOM, 3 wickets and quick 40 which helped winning match also took pressure of ABD." He played a fine hand - but you can't look past AB, coming in at 22 for 3 and finishing unbeaten on 101, surely?

"This should be one of the most interesting series so far... what a turnaround for SA. Credits to Morris for that unbelievable 50 the other day!!!" It's been a cracker, Somanath, albeit South Africa winning quite comfortably in the end.

Selector: "@Alan, Good to see Morris and Wiese taking their opportunities in the series, one a proper bowling allrounder other a proper batting allrounder, hope the selectors realize this and stop searching for another Kallis or play bits and pieces players instead of them!" They look like a decent double team at Nos. 7 and 8. Options and power.

"It's a shame! If England could have just batted out their 50 overs this could have been a very close and exciting match." Indeed, Paul, although such is AB's mojo you'd have to think another 50 wouldn't have saved them

Chris Woakes back on

"A century in his 200th match ! Any stats on that ?" I'm sure there are, Siddharth... I'm just not at liberty to look them up right now!

Only five innings since his last, too. You don't often have to wait long with AB

"David wiese not letting ABD to score 100 that was due from very long time :(" Don't think he's going to be stopped, actually, Chaithanya

Reece Topley returns, though England have left him far too much to do...

"Poor Mr. Cloete, he's been getting heaps of stick from the commentators this match...(by commentators I mean radio and tv...) Poor man." He's had a pretty ordinary game, Bast. But that last decision wasn't an absolute howler, so we'll move quickly on

"@Alan: I gave you rational analysis, and you refuse to publish. I'll try one last time. How many of those runs came when it mattered last year i.e. the World Cup? It is when, rather than how many. (Oops, does that make too much sense for your liking?) For balance, this comment should be published." He had a bad World Cup, D.S.A, along with everyone in the England side - and has been brilliant since. Does that add up for you?