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South Africa kept to modest 262-7 by England in 2nd ODI at Port Elizabeth

Whenever a South African partnership blossomed, England made timely breakthroughs.

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Reece Topley (center) picked three crucial wickets © Getty Images
Reece Topley (center) picked four crucial wickets © Getty Images

South Africa may not be the most pleased with the score of 262 for 7 they have managed in the first innings of the second One-Day International (ODI) at Port Elizabeth given the firepower batting lineup in possession of England. That said, South Africa will go into the break with a slight sense of optimism because they could have been in a far more difficult position. Their revival after a tough start was triggered by AB de Villiers and other middle order batsmen around him contributed in smaller numbers. The England spinners did very well to keep South Africa quiet in the middle overs after the fast bowlers made breakthroughs early on. Live Cricket Scorecard: South Africa v England, 2nd ODI at Port Elizabeth

Hashim Amla was dismissed cheaply early on by Reece Topley for just four runs. Quinton de Kock who scored a valiant century in the previous game also fell cheaply for 22 runs, falling victim to Ben Stokes. Faf du Plessis looked good for his duration at the crease but fell marginally short of a fifty when the spinners built the pressure. Adil Rashid is credited with his wicket.

AB de Villiers was playing an uncharacteristically slow innings. He was very watchful and did not want to risk playing his wide range of unconventional shots in light of his lowly form and his team’s precarious position.

He did the wise thing of rotating strike and built on a steadying partnership with JP Duminy. He added over a hundred runs at a strike-rate comfortably below hundred. He managed to pile up 73 runs before falling to Ben Stokes on his 91st delivery. Duminy was misjudged out leg before to Topley for 47 from 66 balls. He was unhappy with the decision for height but could not review it as de Kock had wasted it early on.

South Africa then had another marginal call go their way. Rilee Rossouw was adjudged not out by the onfield umpire after a delivery from Reece Topley went past his inside edge. England were confident he had nicked it, but even though TV replays were inconclusive, the tv umpire overturned the on-field ruling to have him dismissed for a run-a-ball 11.

South Africa were pretty much deprived of an ideal finish with those wickets there. The likes of Kagiso Rabada showed some fight in the fag end but it was not as productive a period of play as is the standard these days. Farhaan Behardien played slow, failing to get hold of his attempted big hits. Rabada was also victim to Topley.

Topley was pick of the bowlers for England followed close on the heels by Ben Stokes. Topley may have been a tad fortunate with two wickets that went to his name but he bowled well to create those chances in the first place. He also bowled a fantastic final over conceding just six runs. Stokes took the crucial wickets of de Kock and de Villiers when he was starting to open up.

Brief scores:

South Africa 262 for 7 in 50 overs (AB de Villiers 73, JP Duminy 47; Reece Topley 4 for 50, Stokes 2 for 54) vs England.

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