Kobus Pretorius reflects on the players and moments that shaped the first T20I between South Africa and England at Newlands on Friday.
BATSMAN OF THE DAY
It has to be Chris Morris (17 from seven), just because his two boundaries in the final over changed everything and he did it under immense pressure. Good to know South Africa have someone with big-match temperament at No 8.
SHOT OF THE DAY
Faf du Plessis’s cover drive off Chris Jordan which went for four and took him to six.
BOWLER OF THE DAY
Imran Tahir, who equalled his best bowling figures in a T20I by taking 4-21 in his four overs in an excellent performance.
DELIVERY OF THE DAY
Tahir’s googly to get rid of the dangerous Ben Stokes, who had hit him for two boundaries previously. AB de Villiers had the simplest of stumpings.
CATCH OF THE DAY
David Willey dived forward running in from mid-on to take a one-handed catch which got rid of Hashim Amla for 22, who looked dangerous until that point.
COLLISION COURSE
JP Duminy’s catch to get rid of Alex Hales could have been nasty. Hales top-edged a sweep, the ball went high into the air behind square on the leg side. Rabada, running back from short fine leg, and Duminy coming in from deep square both went for the catch. Duminy took it just before Rabada charged into him like a rugby tackle the Springboks would be proud of. Luckily, Duminy was able to cling on to the catch and get up, but Rabada looked a little dazed for a while.
Picture: AFP
