Key occasions
thirty third over: South Africa 180-4 (van der Dussen 57, Miller 4) Another change as Moeen returns. No fireworks but from David Miller, however van der Dussen performs an aesthetic reverse sweep that’s value greater than the 2 it brings.
thirty second over: South Africa 175-4 (van der Dussen 54, Miller 3) Buttler holds a gathering and decides that the time is correct for an additional burst of Jofra Archer. He’s so rhythmic, so grooved, that it’s laborious to work out why he hasn’t taken a wicket, however it is a respectable over that goes for simply 4 singles. And that’s drinks, with England on prime once more. They simply must winkle out van der Dussen.
thirty first over: South Africa 171-4 (van der Dussen 52, Miller 0) So Rashid, after seeing one sweep go for 4, turns the subsequent one into the breakthrough that England wanted. His figures are 7-0-37-1 and he has removed Klaasen, one of many two middle-order dangermen. The different, David Miller, is in now.
Wicket! Klaasen LBW b Rashid 30 (SA 171-4)
And there it’s! Adil Rashid, the world’s main white-ball spinner, seizes the wheel and lures Klaasen into an ill-advised sweep. Up goes the finger and SA don’t even trouble to overview.
thirtieth over: South Africa 168-3 (van der Dussen 50, Klaasen 29) A fast single brings yet one more ODI fifty for Rassie van der Dussen, off 63 balls. His nation wants him to complete on 115 not out. Before that, Stone blotted his copybook with a brief ball that was whipped for six by Klaasen, to carry up the fifty partnership. England want a wicket. Stokes could be telling Malan to get unfastened.
twenty ninth over: South Africa 160-3 (van der Dussen 49, Klaasen 22) One factor England haven’t acquired proper has been the final ball of the over, which has too usually been costly. Rashid follows 5 singles with a freebie, firmly swept for 4 by van der Dussen.
“Overbowling Archer (17th over),” says John Starbuck, along with his normal effectivity. “I think we have to give Buttler some credit here. If he had pulled Archer after only four overs, he’d be planting in the bowler’s mind the idea that he’s only good for four overs in an innings, whereas, even with giving away so many runs, he’d be thinking he’s regarded as more reliable. Psychology, you know.” Have you bought a level in folks?
twenty eighth over: South Africa 151-3 (van der Dussen 43, Klaasen 19) Stone, taking part in the state of affairs, pulls out a thrifty over when England want it: 4 dots, two singles. He’s shaping nicely as Mark Wood’s understudy, conserving the batters sincere within the center overs.
twenty seventh over: South Africa 147-3 (van der Dussen 42, Klaasen 18) Klaasen’s attacking instincts carry their reward as he picks Rashid’s size early and heaves a pull for six. That is simply the third boundary within the final 17 overs, however it’s one other signal that SA are recovering from their unhealthy spell. These two have added 33 off 29 balls: now they only want so as to add one other 70 off 60.
twenty sixth over: South Africa 140-3 (van der Dussen 40, Klaasen 11) Stone’s additional velocity attracts a false shot from Klaasen, however he will get away with it as his top-edged pull lands safely to the left of Harry Brook at deep sq.. It’s going to be very attention-grabbing to see Brook bat on this pitch, which is as flat because the surfaces on which he starred in Pakistan, however not as low and gradual.
twenty fifth over: South Africa 135-3 (van der Dussen 38, Klaasen 8) Another string of singles, 5 of them, off Rashid. At the midway mark England are the happier of the 2 groups, however SA are exhibiting indicators of getting again on prime. So a lot is dependent upon whether or not van der Dussen can bat by means of and permit the dashers to do their factor. A caption simply now instructed us that he has the second-highest batting common of all time in men’s ODIs, amongst these with 1000 runs – he’s on 70, simply behind Shubman Gill of India. The batters of the previous weren’t actually attempting, had been they?
twenty fourth over: South Africa 130-3 (van der Dussen 35, Klaasen 6) Stone, coming again right down to earth, mixes up his lengths however can’t cease these two serving to themselves to a single off each ball.
twenty third over: South Africa 124-3 (van der Dussen 32, Klaasen 3) Klaasen is an efficient participant of spin, Kevin Pietersen is saying, however it’s van der Dussen who hits the first 4 off Rashid. He stays deep in his crease and middles a pull into the broad open areas at deep midwicket.
twenty second over: South Africa 117-3 (van der Dussen 27, Klaasen 1) Here’s Heinrich Klaasen, who’s been in kind for Super Giants within the SA20. He’s trying aggressive straight away, however he performs and misses at Stone, who has made a dream begin right here – one over for one run and one wicket.
Wicket! Markram c Malan b Stone 13 (SA 116-3)
Olly Stone strikes along with his first ball! It’s regulation stuff, within the channel outdoors off, however Aiden Markram goes at it with laborious fingers and provides an opportunity to quick cowl, sharply taken by Dawid Malan.
twenty first over: South Africa 116-2 (van der Dussen 27, Markram 13) Another good over from Rashid, going for less than two as Jason Roy makes a positive cease.
twentieth over: South Africa 114-2 (van der Dussen 26, Markram 12) Jos Buttler appears to have a coverage immediately of giving the bowlers longish spells. If Ben Stokes was in cost, we might have seen seven bowlers by now and Dawid Malan would have taken a wicket along with his leg-breaks. As it’s, Curran continues and he concedes his first broad, adopted by his first 4, off his thirtieth ball, as Markram nails a pull in entrance of sq.. That’s the first boundary for precisely ten overs.
nineteenth over: South Africa 106-2 (van der Dussen 24, Markram 7) One seasoned spinner provides method to one other as Adil Rashid takes over from his mate Mo. He’s on the spot immediately, going for less than two singles and deceiving van der Dussen along with his speciality, the well-aimed googly.
18th over: South Africa 104-2 (van der Dussen 23, Markram 6) On paper that is Sam Curran’s worst over, going for a full 4 runs, however he practically nabs one other wicket in a manner that’s typical of his chutzpah. After bowling a bouncer that’s pulled for 2, fairly comfortably, by van der Dussen, he follows up with one other one. It’s pulled once more, however van der Dussen doesn’t pay money for it and it drops simply wanting Moeen at midwicket. Curran has 4-0-9-1 and he has made this match a lot extra attention-grabbing.
seventeenth over: South Africa 100-2 (van der Dussen 20, Markram 5) As Moeen bowls his fifth over, van der Dussen performs the most effective stroke for ages, a dainty reverse sweep for 3.
“Good to see,” says Pete Salmon, “that England have responded to the damage caused by overbowling Archer by overbowling Archer.” That is a superb line.
sixteenth over: South Africa 94-2 (van der Dussen 16, Markram 3) Another Curran over, one other little masterclass – 4 dots, two singles. He is various his tempo, principally bowling line and size with the odd bumper. The one which did for de Kock was greater than I assumed, aimed on the lid greater than the face, and that was why the pull shot was uncontrolled. And that’s drinks with the sport evenly poised: if it was a soccer match, the rating could be South Africa 1, Curran 1.
fifteenth over: South Africa 92-2 (van der Dussen 15, Markram 2) Moeen continues and concedes 5 singles. After 15 overs, it’s been an innings of three thirds: 31-0 off the first 5 overs, 44-0 off the subsequent 5, and 17-2 off the final 5. Curran has modified the sport.
14th over: South Africa 87-2 (van der Dussen 12) England’s new-ball bowlers served up 9 overs on this flat pitch and took none for 66. Sam Curran has bowled two overs and brought one for 3, plus a surprising catch. He’s like an influence sub who’s on for the entire recreation.
Wicket! de Kock c Buttler b Curran 37 (SA 87-2)
Sam Curran does it once more! He bowls that waspish little bouncer of his, proper in Quinton de Kock’s face, and an tried pull finally ends up as a nick down the leg aspect.
thirteenth over: South Africa 86-1 (de Kock 37, van der Dussen 11) Moeen, taking the trace, produces three dots to go along with three singles. England are clawing their manner again into this.
twelfth over: South Africa 83-1 (de Kock 36, van der Dussen 8) Jofra will get a breather finally as Sam Curran comes on. He’s been all or nothing this winter – participant of the event within the T20 World Cup, then proper out of shape within the SA20. But he’s already made his mark on this match, exhibiting the mettle that Ed Smith noticed in him 5 years in the past, and now he bowls the first tight over for a while, going for less than two singles and beating de Kock outdoors off stump.
eleventh over: South Africa 81-1 (de Kock 35, van der Dussen 8) A much less eventful over from Moeen, principally singles.
tenth over: South Africa 75-1 (de Kock 33, van der Dussen 4) A fifth over for Archer, and de Kock is considering “he must be tiring now”. He performs his first large shot, a pull for six, after which drives the ensuing full one for an additional of these cool-headed fours. The EnergyPlay ends with SA on prime, the run charge round 9 for the previous 5 overs, and greater than half the full (41) coming off Archer, who has been a bit unfortunate.
ninth over: South Africa 65-1 (de Kock 22, van der Dussen 4) So that was an impressed bowling change from Buttler, who spurned each his back-up seamers (Curran and Stone) and his go-to spinner, Adil Rashid, and turned to his vice-captain Moeen. The concept was most likely to winkle out the left-handed de Kock, although it was Bavuma who succumbed. It was really a ropey over, with a boundary every for Bavuma and his substitute, Rassie van der Dussen, however that was a value value paying.
WICKET! Bavuma c Curran b Moeen Ali 36 (SA 61-1)
The breakthrough! Bavuma mistimes a slog off Moeen and Sam Curran takes a superb catch, throwing himself to his left at mid-on and scooping the ball up simply earlier than it hits the turf.
eighth over: South Africa 56-0 (de Kock 22, Bavuma 32) Archer, too, will get a fourth over, so he’s already bowled as a lot immediately as in any match up to now two months. He continues to be rhythmic and principally correct, however there’s one unhealthy ball, a half-volley on middle-and-leg, and once more Bavuma tucks it away. Time for a change, absolutely.
seventh over: South Africa 51-0 (de Kock 21, Bavuma 28) Still no bowling change from Jos Buttler, and he could remorse it as Willey is anodyne once more. He fingers out just a few singles earlier than producing one other gift-wrapped final ball of the over, a freebie on the pads that’s clipped away by Bavuma. That brings up the fifty partnership off 42 balls.
sixth over: South Africa 44-0 (de Kock 19, Bavuma 23) Scrap that! Bavuma has found the boundary. As Archer drops quick, Bavuma, who is brief and makes himself shorter nonetheless by standing along with his toes broad aside, will get underneath the ball and performs a flamboyant flip-pull that just about goes for six to deep sq.. Archer responds with one other lifter, however it veers down leg for an additional broad. After a few singles, there’s yet one more bouncer, a greater one, which Bavuma top-edges over the slips, and this one does go for six.
That over leaves Archer with unhealthy figures (3-0-26-0), however it was higher than it seems to be within the scorebook.
fifth over: South Africa 31-0 (de Kock 18, Bavuma 12) SA’s recreation plan is evident: Bavuma is getting ’em in singles and twos, de Kock is simply excited by boundaries. Willey bowls a large half-volley, virtually yorker-length, and de Kock crouches right down to swipe it by means of the covers. He has 4 fours, Bavuma none, and collectively they’ve made a positive begin.
4th over: South Africa 26-0 (de Kock 14, Bavuma 11) A bit of little bit of every thing on this second over from Archer. His radar goes awry for the first time as he bowls a large down the leg aspect. Bavuma tries to cover-drive him on the up however can solely get the toe-end on it. Archer beats him on the within edge and appeals for LBW, however it’s too excessive, after which de Kock, but once more, hits the final ball of the over for 4 with a crisp straight punch. He’s trying ominously well-organised.
third over: South Africa 18-0 (de Kock 10, Bavuma 8) Willey manages extra swing however much less accuracy, straying onto the pads repeatedly to offer Bavuma two twos and a 3. With de Kock including one other two, South Africa have a bit bonanza with out scoring a 4.
We have an e-mail! “I reckon that missing XI beats this team 7 times out of 10,” says Ben Duxbury. “The top 3 looks miles better than this one for a start.” Buttler and Matthew Mott are definitely exhibiting numerous religion in Jason Roy, whose unhealthy patch has become a correct stoop.
2nd over: South Africa 9-0 (de Kock 8, Bavuma 1) Archer runs in good and straightforward, as if he’d by no means been away. Quinton de Kock treats him the identical manner he handled Willey, ready for the one unhealthy ball, which is overpitched and pushed again previous the bowler for 4. But that’s a promising begin from Jofra.
It’s Jofra time! Or because the Guardian spellcheck needs to name it, Jiffy time. His first ball is nearly Jaffa time – bang on the right track, heading for the off bail and taking the shoulder of Bavuma’s bat.
1st over: South Africa 4-0 (de Kock 4, Bavuma 0) Willey finds little swing however loads of accuracy line’n’size and de Kock is watchful, taking part in out 5 dots earlier than seizing on the first unhealthy ball, broad and full, and slashing it previous backward level. The pitch is flat, brown and bouncy. “It will be a high-scoring day today,” says one of many house commentators.
The gamers are on the market and so is the solar. David Willey has the brand new ball in his hand, prepared to offer us one over of booming swing.
Both these groups misplaced their final ODI collection. South Africa went 1-0 up in India earlier than shedding 2-1, and England had been whitewashed in Australia in a collection which, if solely the ICC awards had been a bit extra broad-minded, would have been a shoo-in for Anticlimax of the Year.
England’s lacking XI
England are leaving out so many good gamers immediately, for one purpose or one other, that they might give the precise workforce a run for its cash. The solely division that appears a bit skimpy is the spin bowling.
1 Jonny Bairstow, 2 Alex Hales, 3 Joe Root, 4 Phil Salt (wkt), 5 Ben Stokes (capt), 6 Liam Livingstone, 7 Chris Woakes, 8 Liam Dawson, 9 Mark Wood, 10 Saqib Mahmood, 11 Reece Topley.
So no Chris Woakes for England, which is a shock. In truth, no basic right-arm seamer: Buttler has gone with two quicks, two lefties, a leggie and an offie. Bags of selection, however they could miss Woakes because the innings goes on and Archer, who has been bowling solely 4 overs each couple of days, will get drained. “It’s gonna be a long day,” he says, “but I’m ready for it.”
The groups
SA 1 Quinton de Kock (wkt), 2 Temba Bavuma (capt), 3 Aiden Markram, 4 Rassie van der Dussen, 5 Heinrich Klaasen, 6 David Miller, 7 Wayne Parnell, 8 Sisanda Magala, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Anrich Nortje, 11 Tabraiz Shamsie.
England 1 Jason Roy, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Dawid Malan, 4 Jos Buttler (capt, wkt), 5 Harry Brook, 6 Moeen Ali, 7 Sam Curran, 8 David Willey, 9 Adil Rashid, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 Olly Stone.
England would have bowled anyway
Jos Buttler, who tends to be sincere in his mild-mannered manner, says he would have chosen to bowl first. “It looks a really good surface, but we fancied a chase.”
Toss: SA win and bat
Temba Bavuma wins the toss and chooses to bat. “Runs on the board,” he says. He doesn’t say: Jofra straight into motion.
Preamble: Jofra time!
Hello everybody and welcome to a collection that might have taken place, Covid allowing, again in December 2020. But maybe we’re fortunate that it didn’t. For one factor, we might have forgotten all about it by now. And for an additional, it wouldn’t have been an opportunity for an exhilarating expertise to make a long-awaited comeback. After 22 months misplaced to damage, and 84 England matches missed in all codecs, Jofra Archer is again in enterprise.
He has performed 5 video games for MI Cape Town within the SA20, taken eight wickets – and, above all, stayed match. Now he returns to the international workforce that he spearheaded all the best way to a World Cup win when he was an international novice. It’s laborious to know who might be extra nervous: Archer or the South African batters despatched out to face him.
If Jofra wasn’t such a giant star, we may be speaking a few mouthwatering debut. England are anticipated to offer a first ODI cap to Harry Brook, who spent the Test tour of Pakistan batting like Bradman on pace. Jos Buttler might additionally hand an ODI recall to Ben Duckett, who was virtually as dominant in Pakistan as Brook.
Quiz query: when did these two groups final meet on this format? I needed to lookup the reply, though it turned out to be solely final July. They performed a three-match collection in England that completed 1-1. The final recreation was washed out and the one earlier than was throughout in lower than half the allotted time, as England scraped 201 in 28.1 overs at Old Trafford and South Africa crumbled to 83 all out in 20.4. The probabilities of something like that occuring immediately, within the blazing warmth of Bloemfontein, appear on the slim aspect.
Play begins at 11am (UK time), and I’ll be again quickly after 10.35 with information of the toss and the groups.
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