Bristol: A host of records were broken as England registered an impressive 41-run victory over South Africa in a high-scoring encounter in Bristol.
South Africa were left to rue dropping Jonny Bairstow on three occasions as the in-form batter smashed a career best score of 90 to lead the hosts to an impressive score of 234/6 in Bristol.
It was England’s second-biggest score in Men’s T20 cricket, with veteran all-rounder Moeen Ali putting the finishing touches on an excellent performance with the bat by scoring a quickfire 52 from just 18 deliveries.
Moeen’s knock was England’s fastest T20I fifty of all time, with the left-hander smashing six maximums during his innings while combining with Bairstow for a 106-run stand through the middle overs.
England also combined to hit 18 sixes during their innings, which was a new record for Matthew Mott’s side.
South Africa were going to need everything to go right for them if they were to chase down England’s lofty score and half centuries to Tristan Stubbs (72) and Reeza Hendricks (57) kept them in the contest for much of the chase.
Stubbs in particular stood out in what was his third T20I match and first innings, with the 21-year-old hitting eight sixes during a 28-ball stay that showed he’s a player of immense talent and one to watch in the future.
Stubbs was eventually dismissed on the first ball of the penultimate over, putting an end to the Proteas’ hopes after an entertaining cameo.
Chris Jordan might not receive the plaudits that some of his teammates receive, but the veteran pacer remains a key component of England’s T20I setup and once again showed his wares in the final overs of South Africa’s chase.
The visitors were still in the game when they needed 54 from the final 18 deliveries, but Jordan found a bit of swing and nailed his yorker with ease to concede just seven runs in total from his final two overs to seal the deal for his side.
While Jordan went wicketless from his four overs, he conceded just 30 runs from his spell and came through with the good when the game was there to be won.
Courtesy:ICC