England’s summer of mayhem shows no signs of slowing down as they took four wickets from 10 no-balls at the start of South Africa’s innings, eventually claiming a 118-run victory to level the series in a contest that accelerated as it progressed.
Rain delayed the start of play by nearly four hours and both teams were bowled out before completing the allotted 29 overs. But there was certainly no shortage of action. England’s total of 201 proved more than enough as Reece Topley’s two for 17 set the tone to bundle the tourists out for 83.
Much of this game defined convention. Jason Roy, Johnny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran and David Willey lost their wickets immediately after hitting a boundary. Livingston smothered Anrich Nortje’s 90mph screamer for three sixes and a four before laying low. Curran hit Tabraiz Shamsi for a six and two fours before being caught at long off.
This England team doesn’t do rebuilds. When the wheels fall off, they don’t come around to put on a spare. They keep the revolutions going until they go over a canyon like Thelma and Louise.
For the seventh time in eight white-ball matches, they lost all 10 wickets. This is a large enough sample to suggest that something is simply not working. But this is a team that seems oblivious to previous failures. India’s stinging defeats at Southampton, Birmingham and The Oval, and South Africa at Durham, are yesterday’s news. Like those batsmen still chasing another strike, Jos Buttler’s charges are living in the moment.
England’s Liam Livingstone watches a ball take off for six in his innings of 38 off 26 balls. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images
Willey cited a number of factors behind his team’s erratic run: the “ridiculous” schedule, an inexperienced bowling unit, quick changes between formats, the acceleration of England’s wickets.
“It will take some time to get used to 50-plus cricket,” Willey said. “Most of the boys were part of the World Cup winning team. We’re finding our feet again.”
Roy was caught at mid-on driving down the track to Nortje and Phil Salt dressed one in the same direction as Dwaine Pretorius came into the attack. The South African all-rounder was a concussion substitute in the first game of the series but now looks set on the team sheet after a best return of four for 36 from six overs.
His double hit of Joe Root, caught by Quinton de Kock from an over edge for one, and Bairstow bowled with a wonderful backhand for 28, saw England reduced to 62 for four.
It was 72 for five when Moeen Ali hooked Maharaj at deep square and when Shamsi had Buttler for the second consecutive game, trapped at short third man for 19, the innings was teetering on 101 for six.
Curran and Livingstone proceeded to throw their hands at anything they could get their hands on, while scores of 21 and 12 from Willey and Adil Rashid respectively took England’s tally past 200. At that point it looked as if about 30 runs to go.
The patience of those who sat in the rain was rewarded. Photo: Matt West/Shutterstock
England’s batsmen have been susceptible to the moving white ball this summer, but their bowlers have made good use of the added swing and seam. Especially Topley who was superb up front again. He sent Janneman Malan and Rassie van der Dussen for a duck each in his second over to wrap up his 17th and 18th wickets in eight matches.
In the fourth over, De Kock chipped Willey straight to cover and Aiden Markram was out, a bit acrobatic from Buttler, not facing a ball.
Heinrich Klaasen offered resistance but his 33 off 40 balls ended when he stumped Ali in the 15th over. At 66 for six, this ended South Africa’s chances of victory. Ali took the last wicket of Nortje with 50 balls remaining but all the bowlers contributed to South Africa’s 83. The decider is at Headingley on Sunday.
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Willey and Curran each picked up a wicket at an economical price of less than three. Rashid underlined his value with three for 29 while hooking the tail. “It was just one of those days,” was Pretorius’ summary. Indeed it was, but England will not dwell on it. Buttler’s side are moving too fast to realise.