ISLAMABAD: The English batting line was toppled under the huge pressure of the mega target of 400 runs set by South Africa and lost the game by a huge margin of 229 runs in the ICC contest being played in Mumbai on Saturday. Following a huge target, the top and middle order of England collapsed, and no one among them was even able to score 20 runs.
Chasing a gigantic target of 400 runs, the England openers tried to take a quick start but were unable to maintain pressure. They lost the first wicket on 18 in the 3rd over, followed by some more quick dismissal. After Bairstow, Joe Root was dismissed on two, followed by the dismissal of Malan on 6. In the 9th over, England lost their fourth wicket when the score reached 38; Ben Stokes was dismissed on just 5 runs. The story didn’t end here as in over number 12, England lost their 5th wicket when Coetzee removed Harry Brook on 15. Brook was followed by the skipper Buttler on 15. South African bowlers, including Ngidi, Rabada, and Jensen, didn’t provide any opportunity for the England batters to survive on the crease.
In the 16th over, England lost their 7th wicket when Coetzee removed Adil Rashid on 10. At the stage, the total score was 84. On 100 runs, in the 17th over, England lost their 8th wicket. On the 9th wicket, England’s tail Atkinson and Mark Wood showed some resistance. Interestingly, they contributed a flying 70-run partnership for the side. Both Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood accelerated the innings with about 13 runs per over. However, it was too late for England. In the 22nd over, Atkinson was removed by Maharaj on 35, while Wood remained unbeaten on 43 while facing just 17 balls. His inning included 5 sixes and 2 boundaries. The last batter didn’t come to play due to injury, and South Africa won the match by a huge margin of 229 runs while scoring just 170 runs.
From South Africa, Gerald Coetzee was the leading wicket-taker with 3 dismissals in his 4 overs. Ngidi and Jensen got 2 wickets each, while Maharaj took one wicket. Klaasen was announced as man of the match for his splendid century.
South Africa Batting
Earlier after winning the toss, England invited South Africa to bat first. The English bowler Reece Tolpay managed to remove De Kock in the first over on just 1 run. De Kock was replaced by Rassie van der Dussen who along with Reeza Hendricks, consolidated the inning and drove it beyond 100 runs in the first 16 overs. Both also completed their half-centuries and put 121 runs partnership for the side.
In the over number 20 leg spinner, Rashid removed Dussen on 60 when the total reached 125. He was replaced by the skipper Aiden Markram who along with Hendricks further accelerated the inning. However, in the 26th over, Rashid got his second wicket and removed the set batsman Hendricks. He scored 85 runs while facing 75 balls. His inning included 3 sixes and 9 boundaries. He was replaced by Heinrich Klaasen. In the 37th over, Topley dismissed the skipper Markram on 42; however, Klaasen managed to control the other hand and produced some brilliant shots towards the boundary. Klaasen also completed his half-century and took South Africa towards a fighting total. In the 37th over, Topley struck again and removed David Miller on 5 to create a little pressure.
At the stage South Africa 243 for the loss of 5 in the 37th over. However, on the other hand, Klaasen continued to add crucial runs for the side. He completed his brilliant century. He was also fully supported by Jansen, who completed his half-century. Both the batters added over 130 runs in the last ten overs to the total. Both contributed 151 runs partnership for the side and took the inning close to 400 runs. In the 50th over, Atkinson removed Klassen on 109, but till then, the damage had been done. Klaasen inning included 4 sixes and 12 boundaries. Meanwhile, Number 7 batter Jansen scored a superb unbeaten 75 runs on 42 balls. In the 50 over South Africa scored 399 for the last of 7 wickets.
From England, Reece Toplay was the most successful bowler, taking 3 wickets in his 10-over spill, while Adil Rashid and Atkinson got two wickets each.
England Team
Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c)†, David Willey, Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood and Reece Topley
South Africa team
Quinton de Kock †, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi
