South Africa v England, 4th ODI: Five Things We Learned

South Africa win a nail-biter at The Wanderers to take us to a winner takes all encounter in the 5th ODI on Sunday. Here’s what we learned from the hosts one wicket win…

MAN OF THE DAY – CHRIS MORRIS 62 OFF 38

Firstly, what a match. At the halfway stage, England were well short. Were it not for Chris Morris, they would have won it. “We should have won that with more wickets in hand,” said AB de Villiers in his post-match speech. He’s right, of course. But there was a sinking feeling when chances were put down, that a big foul up was on the way. Jason Roy shelled de Villiers and JP Duminy was dropped by Hales on one. And then the big one, as Adil Rashid dropped Morris when he had just 14. It was 191 for six when Morris came to the crease and tentatively began his match-winning salvo. England bowled well but, once Rabada went, Morris began teeing off and showcased just why he’s worth every penny of the $700,000 contract for the Delhi Daredevils (ish). The sixes were crisp, the fours sharp and the atmosphere electric as each blow wrestled the game from England’s grasp.

RABADA (9.5 - 1 - 45 - 4)

At a venue where many were predicting in excess of 600 runs in the day, Kagiso Rabada went for under five an over and took four wickets. The funny thing is, it wasn’t the up and at them, thrill ride of a display you’d expect from a 20-year-old. This was measured and maybe even a touch lucky considering the last two, Stuart Broad and Adil Rashid, were caught in the desperate pursuit of late runs. But his extra pace, particular on the short ball, meant England’s batsmen respected him. Ridiculously, on a true pitch and a snooker table-like outfield, he bowled 34 dot balls!

FIREMAN ROOT

Yet again, he didn’t start fluently but you would be a harsh Englishman to be anything other than thankful for Joe Root’s knock today. Having made it to 31, he watched on in horror as his side’s destructive middle order were obliterated to the tune of four for 13. And yet somehow, out of the wreckage, he rebuilt. Chris Woakes provided sound accompaniment, as he and Root picked off singles and twos to ensure the right section of the scoreboard was moving along from their point of view. The most impressive aspect of his innings was how he managed to reel himself in, not so much because of the situation but because of his own frustration. He was visibly riled when he found fielders and mistimed drives but, except one forced hack into the leg side, the only evidence was his chuntering between each delivery. He went from 50 to 100 in 45 deliveries, which is exceptional considering his first 50 took 74 and the way he had to play from that point. An eighth ODI hundred. Somebody stop him.

SOUTH AFRICA’S WALL

That’s more like it. England were kept to just 39 runs in the first 10 overs by some exceptional fielding in the 30-yard circle from South Africa. Knowing that Alex Hales and Jason Roy prefer going hard through the off side, AB de Villiers strengthened the region with four fielders, including a point and cover point. And his men responded, putting on their best display of the series. Barring a couple of missed run outs – from de Villiers himself! – they were immaculate on the ground, with Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy ensuring only two fours were scored through the cover and point regions in that initial phase of play (and one of those was lofted over the top).

IMRAN TARDELLI

Let’s start with the celebration: charming or too much? Upon taking the wicket of Ben Stokes, Tahir ran about 50-yards towards fine leg. It’s a celebration you’re probably more used to seeing in a World Cup final, and maybe that’s why it wrangles so much. Perhaps – and we’re meeting him more than halfway here – this was understandable. The last two ODIs has seen Tahir taken to the cleaners with collective figures of none for 122. So when he bowled a googly to Stokes, which drew the left-hander forward before snaring his edge – Amla completed the dismissal with a brilliant one-handed catch – you can imagine how relieved he was, not just to removed the allrounder, but to do so with such skill. That dismissal followed two fortunate ones as Hales (50) holed out to midwicket and Eoin Morgan (3) duffed a rank long-hop to point. But they gave Tahir the confidence to remove Stokes and ensure he didn’t leak above five an over, bowling 24 dot balls and conceding just one four. And would you believe it, the bloke goes on and seals the win.