Kobus Pretorius reflects on the players and moments that shaped the second ODI in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
BATSMAN OF THE DAY
Alex Hales played very well for his 99 and will be kicking himself for the way he went out to a failed pull shot which was caught behind by Quinton de Kock. Hales’s knock was the rock on which the rest of England’s chase was built.
BOWLER OF THE DAY
Reece Topley took 4-50 in nine overs including the wickets of Hashim Amla, JP Duminy and Rilee Rossouw, the latter two which completely changed South Africa’s innings and prevented them from posting a total in excess of 270.
SHOT OF THE DAY
Rilee Rossouw’s beautiful cover drive off Topley which got him off the mark, going for four. It was perfectly executed and there’s something special about a left-hander driving through the off side.
DELIVERY OF THE DAY
Topley’s ball which uprooted Amla’s off-stump. The opener was bowled off his pads with a delivery which shaped back. Amla played the wrong line, past the outside edge and flicking the back leg. It looked to be swinging and then nipped away.
CATCH OF THE DAY
Chris Jordan’s excellent effort to get rid of the dangerous AB de Villiers, who was just starting to let loose after slowly building his innings for a classic finish. De Villiers didn’t connect a Ben Stokes delivery properly. Jordan had to run back to take a steepler over his shoulder, diving full length to underline the fact that he has one of the safest pair of hands in the game.
UNLUCKY REVIEWS
Quinton de Kock butchered both South Africa’s reviews. While batting, he reviewed a lbw decision against him which indeed pitched in line. While fielding, De Kock was convinced Alex Hales had nicked one behind with his score on 26, but the umpire gave it not out. De Kock, who was absolutely certain he nicked it, convinced AB de Villiers to review but the replay revealed nothing. De Kock couldn’t believe it.
Picture: Getty
