The home team consistently outscored the opposition in runs, although they frequently lost wickets. The Proteas’ top scorers were Heinrich Klaasen (80 from 62 balls) and opener Reeza Hendricks (52), but the English won thanks to a bowling effort by Jofra Archer that set a career high.
As the hosts were bowled out for 287, Archer completed with the astounding score of 6-40. The outstanding performance was the third-best ODI bowling statistics ever by an England bowler. The cricket community was in awe of Archer’s stunning performance on social media.
In order to maintain their chances of automatically qualifying for the World Cup in India later this year, South Africa won the series 2-1, albeit they could still need to win both of their ODIs against the Netherlands in March and April. As they prepare to defend their World Cup crown, England’s win snapped a sequence of five straight defeats in ODI cricket.
When Lungi Ngidi (4-62) delivered a triple early blow that sent Jason Roy (1), Ben Duckett (0), and Harry Brook (6) out to the pavilion within the sixth over, England was already in trouble. Buttler and Malan went to the bowling after a period of consolidation, and they completely destroyed the home attack. As a result of batters choosing force over subtlety, England scored more sixes (19) than fours (16) in their innings.
The visitors’ innings ended with a staggering 217 runs, giving them their second total exceeding 340 in as many games. Many South African batters had opportunities to bat, but England consistently took wickets, with Archer clearly the most outstanding bowler as he finally returns to his best form after a protracted injury layoff.
At one moment Aiden Markram and David Miller were looking threatening. But Jofra Archer first dismissed Markram with outfoxing him with pace and bounce.
After Markram was out, Archer bowled Miller with a scorching 90 mph delivery, causing the left-hander to nick behind to Buttler two overs later.
South Africa was then 174-5 when Rashid had a sweeping Jansen (12) caught by Buttler, bringing the score to 193-6. Although Klaasen gave England a scare by being particularly punishing on the spin of Moeen and Rashid. But as soon as England captain recalled Jofra Archer for wicket, he instantly did the job for England.
With an Ashes series in England coming up later in the year, Australia will be concerned and England supporters will be delighted to see the frighteningly swift Jofra Archer in this type of form.