Unchanged England bowl first in second ODI against strong South Africa side

Hales took England close to its target with a patient 99 from 124 balls as they reached 263 for five from 46.2 overs.

The ball kept travelling on the edge of the Highveld three days ago for a national record 15 sixes as England piled up 399 for nine – their highest overseas total, en route to a Duckworth-Lewis victory by 39 runs at the Mangaung Oval.

He said: “It’s the type of pitch where you need to adapt – it’s completely different”.

“I’ve still got a lot to learn… but it was something I really enjoyed, and I was really proud to be part of a winning series”.

Alex Hales was magnificent.

Botham also called on England to capitalize on South Africa’s injury concerns and also backed them to win the series in style.

“The wicket made things very competitive and the game was always in the balance throughout the day”. Both both fell in to hand over the initiative to England.

Hales endured a chastening start to his Test career, averaging just 17 in four Tests against South Africa, and while he feels the experience will stand him in good stead he is happy to be in the more comfortable surroundings of white-ball cricket. In the next over Duminy was leg before wicket to left-arm opening bowler Reece Topley for 47. “He outplayed my thinking”, De Villiers said.

“In Bloemfontein we had a chance to get it right, I knew that rain was going to come and we didn’t get the timing right”.

The visitors managed to peg South Africa back with an early wicket before Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis shared a 110-run partnership for the second wicket. However, Quinton de Kock emulated Buttler as he produced a brilliant century of his own.

The left-hander responded by clubbing two of his next four deliveries for boundaries, and De Villiers brought up the hundred stand with his only six – pulled over mid-wicket off Jordan from the final ball of the 40th over.

De Villiers was gone for a well-played 73 off 91 balls (4×4, 1×6), and would’ve hoped that Duminy could take the Proteas to around 285-290.

With the ball coming through at variable pace and height, England could not simply power-hit their way to victory.

De Villiers and Duminy struggled to get away England’s spinners Rashid and Moeen Ali on a slow surface, the pair conceding just 84 from 20 overs, and took the score to 198 for three with 10 overs remaining.

England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler who is expected to be in huge demand in the Indian Premier League auction to be held on Saturday, has stated that he is concentrating exclusively on the job against South Africa. Please note that comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language and will be removed accordingly.