South Africa launch late blitz to set England 192 to win third T20 in Cape Town
England were left chasing a steep 192 for a Twenty20 series whitewash over South Africa after a wonderful century stand from Rassie van der Dussen and Faf du Plessis.
The hosts were under pressure on 66 for three at the halfway mark but dominated the remainder of the innings as Van der Dussen clubbed a relentless 74 not out from 32 balls and Du Plessis made 54no from 37.
A whopping 84 runs came from the last five overs, as Van der Dussen finished with five sixes and as many fours, while Du Plessis showed his own hitting power.
Among the painful figures, Chris Jordan became England’s record T20 wicket-taker, overtaking Stuart Broad’s mark of 65 when he dismissed Quinton de Kock for the third game in a row, while Adil Rashid was unscathed in a spell costing just 20.
🇿🇦 South Africa’s last five overs:
8️⃣4️⃣ runs7️⃣ sixes6️⃣ fours
🤯 #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/NkiSG5HpVs
— ICC (@ICC) December 1, 2020
Temba Bavuma and De Kock shared an opening stand of 32 against the new ball before Jordan entered the fray to continue his dominance over De Kock, a mis-hit skied to Tom Curran in the ring. Jordan punched the air with a little more fire than usual, with his team-mates rushing to mark his landmark moment.
South Africa’s powerplay score of 44 for one was competitive but things soon went south, reaching the halfway mark on 66 for three following a handy double strike from Ben Stokes. Bavuma failed to get him up and over mid-off, while Reeza Hendricks nicked one hung up outside off.
Du Plessis and Van der Dussen soon began building the counter-attack their side badly needed, scorning their first 50 runs in 36 balls before hitting the gas. Du Plessis took the bulk of the 16 that Tom Curran conceded in the 16th, before Van der Dussen entered the zone.
He single-handedly took 22 off a shocked Jofra Archer in the 17th – with two sixes and two fours – and finished with aplomb by pounding Jordan for another 20 as England continually missed their marks.
Latest
-
NewsJames Anderson lands key wicket but Niroshan Dickwella fights on
England’s record wicket-taker was immediately on the hunt again, finding sharp movement off the pitch to remove Mathews in his first over.
-
NewsOn this day in 2016: Shivnarine Chanderpaul announces international retirement
Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2008, the West Indies batsman became only the second player to make a double century in his first Test as captain.
-
NewsSri Lanka v England Day One: Anderson and Mathews vie for control in Galle
James Anderson returned figures of three for 24.
-
NewsJames Anderson reveals nerves on Test return
The England seamer added to his 600 wickets as Sri Lanka finished day one on 229 for four in Galle.
-
NewsAlex Hales hits blistering Big Bash century
Hales has been in international exile since a second recreational drug test failure on the eve of England’s triumphant World Cup campaign.
-
NewsAngelo Mathews century repels England after James Anderson’s three-wicket burst
The 38-year-old finished with exemplary figures of three for 24 on a surface offering precious little encouragement.
-
NewsShubman Gill learned backfoot game with ‘1500 short balls every day’
Shubman Gill impressed with his technique against short-pitch bowling, and his father has said he honed those skills during practice.
-
NewsSri Lanka steady ship after James Anderson takes three wickets in Galle
The home side reached 155 for three at tea, with England’s record wicket-taker responsible for all three dismissals.
-
NewsCSA confident Australia tour will go ahead
CSA is confident the scheduled Australia tour to the country will take place despite the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in South Africa
-
NewsJames Anderson at the double on day one in Galle
Sri Lanka may have feared a repeat of their dismal 135 all out from last week.