South Africa v England World T20 – 5 Talking Points

The match between England and South Africa at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai was crucial for both sides. While one side wanted to start off on a high note, the other was itching to get a win under their belt after a clinical defeat against the West Indies.

Nothing went right for England, apart from the fact that they won the toss. South Africa were put into bat and the first over yielded just 2 runs. What followed was an absolute massacre by Amla and de Kock as they plundered 83 runs in the powerplay. Once Amla (58) and de Kock (52) were dismissed, nothing changed whatsoever. In the death overs, some mighty hitting by Duminy (54*) and Miller (28*) ensured that South Africans posted a humongous 229 on the board.

The run chase began in flashy style as 44 runs were on the board in just 2 overs. Hales was the first man to be dismissed, but Jason Roy continued his attack. Ben Stokes hit a couple of shots too before Morgan stepped in to bat. Once the wickets of Morgan and Roy fell, it was down to the mainstay of England middle order, Joe Root, to do the job. He was rightly accompanied by Jos Buttler and the dup plundered the South African attack at will. England eventually won the match riding on Root’s 83 (44) and Roy’s 43 (16) by two wickets.

1. Amla-de Kock Slaughter England

The South Africans were put into bat and the openers made the most of this opportunity. Willey bowled a good over first up conceding just 2 runs. Right after that, de Kock took charge and smacked Topley for 15 runs. Jordan was brought into attack and Amla took him for 22 runs in his first over. By the end of the powerplay, both batsmen looked in destructive touch and had amassed 83 runs on the board. They forged 96 runs partnership in 43 balls for the first wicket before de Kock was dismissed on 52. While de Kock smacked 52 off just 24 balls (7 fours and 3 sixes), Amla hit 58 off 31 balls (7 fours and 3 sixes). It was an absolute power hitting display at the Wankhede and they set the perfect platform for the big hitters to follow.

2. Inexperience bowling and Sloppy fielding

There were a lot of speculations about the inexperienced bowling unit of England before this game. A lot of thought was given into play Liam Plunkett in place of Topley. However, England fielded the same bowling unit. Interestingly, Jordan, Topley and Willey have collectively almost half the number of T20I wickets that Stuart Broad has. In the match too, the inexperience was evident enough. Yorkers were bowled but not on a consistent basis. No wonder why the South Africans found the fence in every over. What added to the misery of English bowlers was poor fielding. A lot of lapses in the field plus overthrows didn’t work in favour of England. To add to it were the drop catches. Amla was dropped early in the innings by Topley and Duminy was dropped by Morgan in the penultimate over.

3. Duminy Finishes on a High

All the South African batsmen were on a rampage. Amla and de Kock set the tone and the batsmen who followed, started off in the sixth gear mode. AB de Villiers struck 16 off 8 and du Plessis struck a run-a-ball 18. The ideal finish was provided by the duo of Duminy and Miller. Duminy and Miller ripped apart the bowling in the death overs. While Miller stood unbeaten on 28 off just 12 balls at the end of the innings, Duminy struck a 26 ball half century. Miller hit the last two balls of the innings for a four and a six to take South Africa to 229/4 in 20 overs. Duminy remained unbeaten on 54 off just 28 balls, hitting 3 fours and 3 sixes.

4. Bowlers’ Graveyard – Jason Roy’ Cameo

The target was gigantic and nobody would’ve given England any chance at the start of the innings. But the way Jason Roy began, it all looked set for a historic chase. Jason Roy took Rabada for 21 runs of the first over. Hales and Roy then scored 23 off Dale Steyn’s first over. If South Africa had scored 83 in the powerplay, England got an inch better to score 85. Jason Roy was looking in dangerous touch during his innings of 43 off 16 balls, hitting 5 fours and 3 sixes. If the England bowlers were being criticized for their poor bowling, the experienced South African attack seemed hapless too. Needless to say, the pitch at the Wankhede was an absolute graveyard for bowlers.

5. Joe Root stars in Historic Win

When Joe Root walked in to bat, there were oohs and aahs in the ground, as not many knew Root as the big hitter. Everyone expected Morgan or Buttler to arrive at the crease. But Root carefully carved an excellent innings and built up the crescendo as the match progressed. Having started slowly, Root attacked when it mattered and formed a key partnership with Jos Buttler to ensure England had a smooth run in the middle overs. He played spin of Tahir and Duminy with caution and attacked the loose deliveries. Root was unlucky not to be able to finish off the game as he was dismissed in the penultimate over. He scored 83 off 44 balls with 6 fours and 4 sixes to his name. In the end, it was a historic run chase by England as they managed to overhaul the mighty total of 229 set by South Africa with 2 wickets in hand and 2 balls to spare.