Published: May 29, 2017, 09:03 PM (IST)
Edited: May 29, 2017, 09:29 PM (IST)
South Africa, looking to hit England hard after a narrow 2-run loss at Southampton in the second One-Day International (ODI) came out with determination and valour. After bundling England for a mere 153 in the third ODI at Lord’s, South Africa batsmen showed no discomfort on a track on which the hosts were reduced to a poor 20 for 6 in the first 5 overs of the contest. With Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock already looking in form in the previous two meetings, England bowler were found questioning their strategies. Jake Ball did provide some excitement but it was too late for the hosts as South Africa won the match by 7 wickets. With this win England took the series 2-1 heading into ICC Champions Trophy 2017. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: England vs South Africa, 3rd ODI
The pair of Amla and de Kock played with complete control hardly giving the likes of Steven Finn and Jake Ball any chance of a breakthrough. Amla in particular latched onto any lose delivery that was thrown towards him. He was extremely severe on David Willey and Finn. With Amla going great guns, de Kock took the more quieter approach and eased himself to runs.
Heading into this contest, Amla was 23 runs short of Virat Kohli’s record of fastest to 7,000 ODI runs. He ensured that the milestone was done and dusted in as many deliveries. He took just 150 innings as compared to Kohli’s 161.
Interestingly, Amla now holds the record of being the fastest, from the 2,000-run mark to the 7,000th.
The players took the scheduled lunch after 11 overs with South Africa on 59 for no loss with Amla not out on 34 and de Kock not out on 24.
At resumption Amla secured his 33rd ODI half-century in just 51 balls. With such a long break interval, Amla had a lapse in concentration that saw him misjudge a back of a length ball by Toby Roland-Jones. The ball took an under edge and rattled his stumps. This was Toby’s first ODI scalp.
Jake Ball who hardly had any to do all morning, got Amla’s partnership in crime de Kock for 34. A perfect yorker by Ball, the delivery curled in towards the batsmen at the very last moment with de Kock’s coming down quite late.
JP Duminy and AB de Villiers found themselves facing a fierce spell by Ball and Finn. The pair batted quite content fully, meandering towards their target of 154 runs with 7 wickets to spare.
This is South Africa’s first win at Lord’s over England in an ODI.
Starting the day, South Africa put England in with overcast conditions. It was the South African bowling trio of Kagiso Rabada and Wayne Parnell that downed a famed line-up to 20 for 6 within 5 overs. For England, it was Jonny Bairstow that somewhat resurrected their innings with a knock of 51. He was helped by David Willey (26) and Toby (37*).
Brief scores:
England 153 in 31.1 overs (Jonny Bairstow 51, David Willey 26 ; Kagiso Rabada 4 for 39) lost to South Africa 156 for 3 in 28.4 overs (Hashim Amla 55, Quinton de Kock 34; Jake Ball ) by 7 wickets.
Man of the Match: Kagiso Rabada
FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: England vs South Africa, 3rd ODI
