In the first T20 International between England and South Africa on Wednesday we were treated to 427 runs, 29 sixes and a memorable innings from Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali and especially Proteas debutant Tristan Stubbs – who scored a blistering 72 off just 28 balls.
The game however was ultimately settled by 3 Lions bowler Chris Jordan, who took a great catch to dismiss David Miller and stopped South Africa’s surge towards victory with a picture perfect 18th over even if his figures of 4-0-30-0 don’t truly reflect it. After a difficult World T20, Jordan has quietly been back to his best this summer, and he’s easily one of the most entertaining cricketers to watch in the world right now. Unless you’re a Proteas fan.
On the topic of being a tormented South African cricket supporter, the second T20I gave us something to smile about after what we were afraid might turn out to be another heart-breaking summer of losing cricket.
Bowled over
The Proteas didn’t just level the series, they did it with an astonishing 58-run victory over England in Cardiff on a night where once-forgotten Rilee Rossouw absolutely carted the English attack all over the park and the South African fielders remembered how to catch after dropping 6 very catchable chances on Wednesday night.
The South African’s loss on Wednesday in Bristol was due mainly to some pretty shocking fielding, but in Wales last night they were virtually perfect in the field. Their discipline and intensity smothered England out of the game. Their improvement was not confined to catching but nevertheless not a single genuine chance went untaken, with Keshav Maharaj providing the highlight with a ridiculous diving catch to dismiss Moeen Ali, leaving England’s score at 88 for four and their chances of getting close to South Africa’s total looking less and less likely.
The bowlers took their chances and stood up to the English wielders of the willow. Tabraiz Shamsi put aside a dismal display where he leaked 49 runs in three wicketless overs the previous evening to take three for 27 off four last night. But the faultless fielding was certainly bolstered by some pretty impressive performances with the bat.
Bat to their best
Rilee Rossouw, was the leading man in that effort. For the last six years he’s kind of disappeared into the international wilderness after not really rising to the occasion when given the chance on previous tours. But he took centre stage with his first appearance for the Proteas since signing for Hampshire in 2016 and showed the national selectors what they’ve been missing, and what they now stand to gain ahead of the T20 World Cup in October.
Unbeaten on 96 after having faced 55 deliveries, it was only the stellar final over from Chris Jordan that denied Rossouw a deserved century. After nabbing the man of the match award Rossouw shared some thoughts on his return to the green and gold of the Proteas: “To put in a performance like that for my country is special for me. Since Brexit happened I’ve put in some really good performances and the management has backed me and selected me.
Representing your country is the proudest thing anyone can do and today was emotional for me.” Sure, we’re not used to hearing about Brexit in post-match interviews at the cricket, but Rilee’s right – he has been batting like a demon since England decided to do their most England-y thing ever.
Despite the early wicket of Quinton de Kock, South Africa’s openers were steadfast in keeping the score ticking to set up a solid run platform. Reeza Hendricks brought the form that saw him gain his half-century in Bristol, his 53 off 32 including smashing two sixes before falling to the safe-as-houses hands of Jonny Bairstow.
Rossouw reacted to the end of their 73-run partnership as if he was deeply hurt by Hendrick’s departure, hitting 36 off his next 16 deliveries – and one memorable mis-timed shot that smashed into his own chin. Whoever occupied the spot at the non-striker’s end was merely a spectator to Rossouw’s personal fireworks display. It was truly some pretty pissed-off batting and, as a South African, I loved every second of it.
3 Lions fail to roar
While we were expecting a thunderous comeback from England they were, to be honest, rather ordinary on the day although Jos Buttler tried his hand at unsettling the Proteas by attempting to put an unlikely hero in the spotlight. He promoted Moeen Ali after Dawid Malan fell for just five runs. Ali was immense in the first T20, recording the fastest 50 in T20 history, but this time around he had no such luck. He was replaced by Sam Curran, the last of the left-handers, who lasted just three balls to start the inexorable dive in the England performance.
It all began well enough, with Buttler hitting big, beefy strikes but, like it was on Wednesday, his stay at the crease was pretty short. Having scored a quick-fire 29 off 14, he topped an Andile Phehlukwayo delivery into the air and Hendricks collected the ball before it touched down.
The captain’s innings was only bettered by one other Englishman, and that by only one run as Jonny Bairstow finished on 30 off 21, falling to a magnificent catch from Lungi Ngidi who showed that whatever Barstow could do, he could do better!
Down to the wire – who will you bet on?
For cricket fans, the result sets up a tantalising decider game on Sunday. For sports bettors, it makes picking the odds decidedly difficult. England will be desperate to end their summer on a high and go into the T20 World Cup with some solid performances behind them.
But there is a rather inconsistent international side waiting to throw a huge bat into the works. The question top of mind will be: which Proteas team will show up on the pitch in Southampton on Saturday? What other random forgotten South African heroes could we see next? Who have we overlooked that’s still got the goods? All this and hopefully a bit more from Proteas come Sunday. Our prediction? South Africa to bat first and win by 15 runs or less. Optimistic? Probably – but it’ll be pretty cool if we’re right.