England and South Africa locked horns in a three-match ODI series recently which the Proteas won 2-1. The Temba Bavuma-led team won the first two games but could not pull off a clean sweep to boost their qualification chances for the ODI World Cup. Nevertheless, the first two wins have kept them alive.
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In the third ODI, South Africa bowlers conceded too many runs despite an early advantage. England piled up a massive total (346/7) in their designated 50 overs as Dawid Malan (118) and Jos Buttler scored centuries. When it came to chasing the total, South Africa got bowled out for 287 despite half-centuries from Reeza Hendricks and Heinrich Klaasen. Jofra Archer bagged six wickets to derail Proteas’ chase.
However, there were a few positives for the host team as well. Lungi Ngidi bagging a four-wicket haul was the biggest takeaway for South Africa. The right arm quick dismissed Jason Roy, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, and Moeen Ali. His last wicket was an epic one as Ngidi clean bowled Ali twice in two deliveries.
In fact, it was a perfect redemption for the pacer after bowling two no-balls and getting hit for two sixes. In the 47th over of England’s innings, Ngidi overstepped on the second delivery and got smacked for a six on the free hit that followed. The pacer again erred and overstepped. However, he did not make any mistake after that as Ngidi bowled Ali on the free hit ball. On the next legal delivery, the Proteas pacer once again clean bowled Ali to send him packing.
Ngidi finished the match with bowling figures of 10-0-62-4. Meanwhile, Marco Jansen bagged two wickets at the expense of 53 runs. Sisanda Magala scalped one wicket but conceded 76 runs in his 9 overs. +