A destructive finish to their innings saw England post a massive 204-7 in their 20 overs in the second T20I against South Africa in Durban, writes ANDRE HUISAMEN.
Proteas skipper Quinton de Kock won the toss and decided to have a bowl first as Bjorn Fortuin replaced Dale Steyn in the team.
England opted for the same lineup that lost the opening T20I in East London on Wednesday as Dawid Malan missed out on selection once again.
Lungi Ngidi continued his heroics from Buffalo Park by dismissing Jos Buttler for only 2 in the 3rd over the match.
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Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow, though, went on the attack and raced to a 50-run partnership as the pair started to clear the boundary with ease.
Andile Phehlukwayo then made a very important breakthrough by clean bowling Bairstow for 35 after the batsman sent him for two consecutive sixes.
The dangerous Roy tried to go big against Tabraiz Shamsi but he failed to get all of the delivery and was caught by David Miller at long-on as England reached 90-3 at the halfway mark of their innings.
Eoin Morgan strolled in and struck a few big blows but he fell victim to a slower delivery by Dwaine Pretorius, caught in the deep by Bavuma for 27.
Phehlukwayo removed Joe Denly in the very next over for only 1 when the right-hander deflected a slower ball onto his own stumps.
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Moeen Ali, though, came out with all guns blazing and hit 21 off a Hendricks over and then sent Ngidi for a few boundaries before finding Bavuma on the boundary for an excellent 39 off 11 balls.
Chris Jordan hit one big six but was also caught by Bavuma at long-off for only 7 but Ben Stokes remained put at the crease and guided England past the 200-run mark.
Proteas with a hefty chase on their hands.
Teams:
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (captain & wicketkeeper), Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, JJ Smuts, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Beuran Hendricks, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi, Bjorn Fortuin
England: Jason Roy, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan (captain), Ben Stokes, Joe Denly, Moeen Ali, Tom Curran, Adil Rashid, Chris Jordan, Mark Wood
Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images
