Published: May 27, 2017, 07:22 PM (IST)
Edited: May 27, 2017, 08:03 PM (IST)
In an attempt to level the three-match series, South Africa took on England at The Rose Bowl, Southampton in the second One-Day International (ODI) series. Unlike the first ODI, visitors won the toss and put hosts in. England had a dicey start to the innings but it was the pair of Ben Stokes and Eoin Morgan who resurrected their innings. Stokes in particular looked out of sorts initially but found steam in the middle and launched himself to a sturdy hundred. With the platform set it was Jos Buttler and Moeen who saw England threw the 300-run mark as they ended up making 330 for 6. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: England vs South Africa, 2nd ODI
Openers’ Alex Hales and Jason Roy failed to provide them a steady. With overcast conditions to help, Kagiso Rabada knocked over Roy for 8. Roy tried to play across the line, and got the middle stump knocked over. England soon found their best batting pair since 2015 Joe Root and Hales in the middle. After weathering the Rabada and Morris storm, Root took on Dwaine Pretorius in his first over; milking him for 8 runs.
Keshav Maharaj making his ODI debut for South Africa came in as soon as the 11th over. Hales’ wicket brought an end to a 58-run stand for the second wicket. Hales trying to play away from his body gave a simple caught behind to Quinton de Kock for 24.
This brought centurion from Leeds, Morgan out in the middle. Morgan looked in peach form in the middle but sadly contributed in his partner’s fall of wicket. A straight drive from Morgan was caught by Pretorius mid-way that ricocheted the ball on the non-strikers’ stumps. Root, unlucky backed too much and had to take the long walk back.
Stokes found himself in the middle in only the 16th over. Stokes was lucky to be dropped twice on back-to-back balls. He kept on struggling against Maharaj and Pretorius with the lack of pace they offered. Morgan on the other hand, continued to keep the score board ticking.
Andile Phehlukwayo was ill-fated to have been taken for boundaries of thick edges. Slowly and steadily Morgan and Stokes sneaked in a 50-plus stand for the fourth wicket.
Stokes soon notched up his 11th ODI fifty in 48 balls. Morgan eyeing another fifty fell for 45 to Rabada. The ball just moved a bit away from Morgan to which he nicked and gave an edge to keeper.
Coming in from a decent stint with Mumbai Indians, Buttler, was lucky to survive a close leg before call. Stokes’ continued his march towards a second ODI hundred, with Buttler playing support. Stokes achieved his second ODI hundred in 77 balls inclusive of 11 fours and 3 sixes.
Maharaj who was unlucky earlier snatched up Stokes in his third try. Stokes’ trying to heave Maharaj over long off holed out to David Miller for 101. This was Maharaj’s maiden ODI wicket.
Buttler was joined by Moeen Ali coming in at No.6. Buttler being the better set batsmen started to take on South Africa’s bowlers. He did not hesitate to bring out the scoop and reverse sweep shots.
Buttler reached his fifty in 46 balls; his 13th in ODIs. Seeing Buttler (62*) go all out, Moeen to took the aerial route. He ended up making a 19-ball 33 to fall on the last ball of England’s innings to Phehlukwayo.
Earlier, England made a last moment change with Ball replacing Woakes. Woakes was ruled out due to quad niggle. South Africa on the meanwhile made as many as three changes. They brought in Behardien, Pretorius and Maharaj in place of Imran Tahir, JP Duminy and Wayne Parnell.
Brief scores:
England 330 for 6 (Ben Stokes 101 , Jos Buttler 62* ; Kagiso Rabada 2 for 50 ) vs South Africa
