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Alex Hales’ knock leads England to 236 vs South Africa in 5th ODI at Cape Town

England cruised through their innings and posed a grand total of 236 all out from 45 overs with Alex Hales 2nd One-Day International (ODI) century against South Africa in 5th One-Day International at Cape Town

Alex Hales scored 112 from 128 balls in 5th ODI at Cape Town © Getty Images
Alex Hales scored 112 from 128 balls in 5th ODI at Cape Town © Getty Images

England managed to get pose a competitive total of  236  from 45 overs with Alex Hales finally managing to get hold of 2nd One-Day International (ODI) century. The visitors had almost lost hope of scoring runs beyond 200-plus, but it was only possible with Hales gaining opportunity at the perfect moment. Kasigo Rabada stood out for his excellent spells took off Hales within 43.1 overs and came in Reece Topley. Stuart Broad and Topley scored 13 runs from 9th wicket stand who tried taking England to 250-plus runs as they turned to be unsuccessful. Imran Tahir was successful in taking the last wicket for South Africa of Stuart Broad, restricting them well below 250 runs. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: South Africa vs England, 5th ODI at Cape Town

South Africa hosts England for final ODI match at Cape Town on Sunday and start off to disastrous innings. South Africa won the toss and took up the right decision to bowl first making some changes in their squads with JP Duminy put to rest and Rilee Rossouw called upon for the final ODI. Kyle Abbott opened the innings for South Africa who gave away some runs with England’s opening batsmen Jason Roy and Hales exchanging strikes for England. South Africa played around with their bowlers and brought in the spinners with trick working on their favor and Tahir picked Jason Roy to get him off the crease in 5th over. READ: AB de Villiers joins 200-ODI club in South Africa vs England 2015-16, 5th ODI

South Africa were frantic with their fielding as Joe Root came in and played the boundaries there on with Hashim Amla missing the opportunity to get simple catch of Root in 8th over. Root and Hales put up a 61-runs from second wicket stand. Tahir did it again for South Africa this time not missing the opportunity of losing wicket of Root. It was in David Wiese spells when Hales completed his fifth consecutive half-century again standing out for his thralling innings. Eion Morgan came in to lead England from front, but once again failed to impress the audience as Wiese got his first wicket for the innings. Ben Stokes and Alex Hales also amazed the audience with their 70-runs fourth wicket stand. It was meant to last just for few over and off was Stokes and Jos Buttler, with Kasigo Rabada striking once again.

Moeen Ali also contributed his bit barring to just 12 runs this innings. Wiese managed to get three wickets by getting Chris Woakes and Adil Rashid. This will be South African skipper AB de Villiers 200th ODI and South Africa will look to win this for their captain after series of losses in Tests matches.

Brief Scores:

England 236 (Alex Hales 112, Ben Stokes 29; Kasigo Rabada 3 for 34, Imran Tahir 3 for 53, David Wiese 3 for 50) vs South Africa

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