England fail to defend hefty total as South Africa clinch ODI series
The Proteas chased down 343 at Bloemfontein to go 2-0 up in the three-match series
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Your support makes all the difference.Temba Bavuma’s hundred and David Miller’s unbeaten 58 off 37 balls underpinned South Africa’s successful pursuit of a mammoth 343 at Bloemfontein which guaranteed a one-day international series win against England.
Jos Buttler anchored England’s 342 for seven with 94 not out off 82 balls after Harry Brook had registered his maiden ODI fifty with 80 off 75 deliveries, while there were cameos from Moeen Ali (51 off 45) and Sam Curran (28 off 17).
South Africa never let the run-rate spiral and Bavuma was authoritative up top with 109 from 102 deliveries before Miller’s expertise at the death helped the Proteas home with five wickets to spare.
Miller, who put on an unbroken 65 in 47 balls with Marco Jansen (32 off 29), secured a 2-0 lead for the hosts with one more match to play on Wednesday with a huge six from the first delivery of the final over off Chris Woakes.
This is another setback for England, who have won just two of their last 12 ODIs, but there were positives in a high-scoring encounter containing a couple of flash points on a sunny, hot day.
Brook, who made a duck on his ODI debut in Friday’s 27-run defeat, led England’s recovery from 33 for two with a fine innings containing seven fours and four sixes while Olly Stone was threatening throughout and took two for 48.
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