Thanks to Lungi Ngidi’s heroics, South Africa registered a thrilling 1 run win in the 1st T20I match against England played at Buffalo Park, East London on Wednesday.
England captain Eoin Morgan won the toss and decided to field first. It was a flying start by Quinton de Kock who looked in sublime touch taking on Tom Curran. Temba Bavuma also impressed with boundary and rotating skills. Moeen Ali provided the breakthrough dismissing the dangerous de Kock for a quickfire 31 off 19 balls. Van der Dussen continued South Africa’s momentum with aggressive strokes. At the end of six overs, South Africa were 68 for 1.
After the power play overs, Bavuma and Van der Dussen made the batting look easy which put pressure on England bowlers. Ben Stokes got the big wicket of Van der Dussen to end 63 runs to stand for the 2nd wicket. In the next Adil Rashid dismissed Bavuma to stall South Africa’s progress. David Miller could not score many runs. JJ Smuts and Andile Phehlukawyo put pressure on England bowlers with a quickfire 35 runs stand for the 5th wicket. Mark Wood and Chris Jordan were superb in death overs to restrict South Africa to 177 for 6.
In reply to 178 runs to win, Jos Buttler played with positive intent right from word go. Dale Steyn who was making a comeback into South Africa squad got the wicket of Buttler for 15. Jason Roy looked in great touch hitting 22 runs off JJ Smuts over which kept England momentum going. Jonny Bairstow also impressed with his stroke play. At the end of six overs, England raced to 68 for 1.
After the power play overs, Roy and Bairstow made the batting look easy with attacking stroke play. Phehlukawyo got a much-needed breakthrough dismissing Bairstow for 23. Roy and Bairstow added 72 runs in quick time. England captain Eoin Morgan took some time against Shamsi. Roy showed his class to reach his fifty off just 22 balls. Morgan and Roy kept the scoreboard ticking which kept England on course of winning the match. Beuran Hendricks was bought into the attack and dismissed the dangerous Roy for 70. Roy and Morgan added 41 runs for the 3rd wicket. Soon after Andile Phehlukawyo got rid of Joe Denly to bring South Africa into the match.
Lungi Ngidi bowled a brilliant 18th over giving away just 5 runs and taking the wicket of Ben Stokes. With 23 runs required off 2 overs, Eoin Morgan smashed Hendricks for 2 fours and 1 six. Morgan reached his fifty off 33 balls before getting out.
It was a special effort by Lungi Ngidi who defended 7 runs in the final. He dismissed Tom Curran and then bowled slower ones to Moeen Ali. With 3 runs needed off 1 ball, Adil Rashid was run out to give South Africa a thrilling 1 run win.
South Africa 177 for 8 in 20 overs ( Bavuma 43, Quinton de Kock 31, Chris Jordan 2/28, Adil Rashid 1/23, Moeen Ali 1/22) beat England 176 for 9 in 20 overs ( Jason Roy 70, Eoin Morgan 52, Lungi Ngidi 3/30, Andile Phehlukawyo 2/32) by 1 run.
Lungi Ngidi for his 3 for 30 in 4 overs was awarded the man of the match. South Africa takes a 1-0 lead in 3 matches T20I series. The 2nd T20I will be played at Durban on 14th February.
