England v South Africa Review: 1st and 2nd ODI

First ODI Review

The highly anticipated One Day International series between England and South Africa got underway on Friday, with the first two matches of the series taking place at the Mangaung Oval.

Despite a closely fought battle between two top class teams, South Africa won the first One Day International 298-7 to 271, with the home team winning by a narrow margin of 27 runs. The win came despite a spectacular century from England’s Jason Roy.

Roy was the highest run scorer for England over the course of the day with 113 runs. South Africa’s top two run scorers were Rassie Van der Dussen (111) and David Miller (53).

Jason Roy, who plays his domestic cricket with Surrey, looked to have given England a significant advantage and chance to win the first One Day International of the series with a 79 ball century and got his country into a 196-3 lead at the 30^th over before he was caught on the boundary after scoring over a century of runs from 91 balls.

But just as England looked to be gathering significant momentum, this was diminished soon after. Moeen Ali, who plays his domestic cricket with Warwickshire, gained 49 runs, but this streak ended when the ball struck the wicket.

South Africa went on to score 298-7 after Rassie van der Dussen got 111 runs from a total of 117 balls. Sam Curran did attempt to lead an England fightback with 3-35, but South Africa successfully emerged victorious from the first One Day International of the series.

England v South Africa Second ODI Review

It was a similarly tight contest in the second of three One Day Internationals between South Africa and England at the Manguang Oval in Bloemfontein.

England came into this match hoping that they could level the series to set up an all or nothing third one day international at The Kimberley Oval in Kimberley on Wednesday 1^st February.

Unfortunately, England were defeated on the day, losing 347-5 to 342-7, losing by 5 wickets. Not only had they lost the match they had also lost the series with South Africa now leading the series 2-0.

Jos Buttler and Harry Brook scored the most runs over the course of the match for England. Buttler scored 94 runs off 82 runs. Brook was very close behind him with 80 runs to his name.

Despite scoring a very solid 342, they failed to hold on to claim what would have been a vital win in their bid to win this series. Temba Bavuma kick started the South African fight back, scoring a spectacular 109 runs off 102 balls.

Sam Curran did make it more difficult for South Africa to secure the win, but Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram scored a total of 87 runs, before David Miller sealed the win with 58 runs.

England will be looking to secure a win in the final ODI at The Kimberley Oval to avoid a hat trick of wins for South Africa.

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