Published: Feb 12, 2016, 08:44 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 12, 2016, 08:53 PM (IST)
England had mixed fortunes in their innings of 262 against South Africa in the fourth One-Day International of the five-match series at Johannesburg. They started off watchfully on a surface with variable bounce with Alex Hales and Jason Roy displaying more caution than is standard. While Roy’s stay was relatively brief and ineffective innings, Hales batted well in company of Joe Root. Placed at 87 for 1, England seemed headed the right way but a spectacular collapse was to ensue which saw England reduced to a dismal 108 for 6. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: South Africa vs England 2015-16, 4th ODI at Johannesburg
The collapse was triggered by the indomitable spirit that is Imran Tahir and was reinforced by Kyle Abbott. In course of the collapse Hales was the first to be removed just after scoring his fifty. He tried hitting over midwicket against Tahir’s turn but failed to get enough power and was caught. UPDATES: South Africa vs England 2015-16, 4th ODI at Johannesburg
Tahir had his tail up and soon later and bowled better lines and lengths. He had struggling skipper Eoin Morgan dismissed to a cut shot. The shot selection was not poor and the execution would have been good had the ball not jumped off the surface. The extra bounce got his top edge and his fell for two.
Ben Stokes was the next man to fall in the same over. This was a googly by Tahir that did the trick, Stokes defended but failed to account for the opposite spin. The edge was taken and Hashim Amla took a splendid catch at slip diving to his left.
Then Abbott had his say in the tide of things. He made good use of the excess bounce to remove Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali. Buttler scored just one run before he was dismissed to a snorter of a bouncer which ricocheted off his bat on to the helmet and lobbed up for a catch to the bowler. Moeen was guilty of attempting to pull a ball without room on offer. He was cramped up and the extra bounce got his edge to Amla at slip.
This is where Root showed his true worth. He joined forces with Woakes and weathered the storm. South Africa had their tails up and kept challenging them with short ones but Root and Woakes played sensibly. No only did they stem the tide of wickets, but also scored at a respectable rate.
The duo ensured England got past the 200-run mark before Woakes fell to Kagiso Rabada. Again the bouncer did the trick with Woakes finding the nick on way to the keeper. Root added a few more with Rashid and got past a sedate hundred.
His innings was brought to a close by a questionable choice of shot, an attempted ramp off Morris. He did not get the all of it and was caught at fine leg for 109. Rashid continued England’s recovery in great style. He scored frequent boundaries and ensured England got past 250. He fell for 39 off 26 balls to Rabada.
Rabada was the best on a day of plenty of good bowling performances. He dismissed Roy early on, got the crucial wicket of Woakes to break a booming partnership and also removed Rashid finally who could have added so much more if he stayed on for the remaining two overs. He also dismissed Broad for a run-a-ball six. Tahir’s burst in the middle overs was crucial without which England were looking good for a 300+ score. Abbott did well in the middle overs to remove Buttler and Moeen cheaply but was ordinary otherwise.
Brief scores:
England 262 all out in 47.5 overs (Alex Hales 50, Joe Root 109; Kagiso Rabada 4 for 45) vs South Africa.
