DURBAN: After winning the opening ODI in Cape Town, a resurgent South Africa will be looking to seal the three-match series when they meet England in Durban for the second game on Friday (today).
South Africa, under the new leadership of Quinton de Kock, ticked all the boxes to return to winning ways after their 3-1 Test series drubbing against England.
De Kock played a match-winning knock along with Temba Bavuma for company. Spinner Tabraiz Shamsi picked up the most wickets for his side, while others too chipped in to contain the England batsmen.
Debutants JJ Smuts and Lutho Sipamla gave a fair account of themselves, and could get another chance to show what they can do.
England’s debutants, meanwhile, had a tougher outing. Skipper Eoin Morgan rued his bowlers’ inability to create pressure on the well-set Kock and Bavuma, and Matt Parkinson, the leg-spinner playing his first series, will want to show what he is capable of.
England posted a par score of 258-8 after they were asked to bat, thanks to Joe Denly’s 87 and a 42-ball 40 from No 8 Chris Woakes. Shamsi was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, returning 3-38 from his 10 overs.
South Africa chased down the target in 47.4 overs. De Kock played a captain’s knock, scoring a brilliant 107 from 113 balls, while Bavuma’s innings was as praiseworthy for his 98 runs off 103. The duo shared a match-defining stand of 173 for the second wicket.