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In the third and final One-Day International (ODI) of the three-match series at Diamond Oval in Kimberley, England bounced back and defeated South Africa by 59 runs to avoid the clean sweep.
Put to bat first, the English batting line-up produced a strong performance, posting a huge 346/7 on the board in their assigned 50 overs. Opener Dawid Malan and captain Jos Buttler both smashed tremendous centuries to help England put up a massive total. While Malan made 118 runs off 114 deliveries with the help of 7 fours and 4 sixes, Buttler smashed 131 runs off 127 balls, including 6 fours and 7 sixes.
South Africa’s bowlers, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen, took 4 and 2 wickets, respectively, but were unable to stop the English batting attack. In response, the Proteas never really got the desired momentum and were bundled out for 287 in 43.1 overs. Reza Hendricks (52 runs off 61) and Heinrich Klaasen (80 runs off 62) showed some fight, but it wasn’t enough.
English bowlers led by Jofra Archer destroyed the South African batting unit. Archer went on to bag a six-wicket haul while conceding only 40 runs in 9.1 overs, including a maiden. Spinner Adil Rashid also shined with the ball, taking three wickets for 68 in his quota of 10 overs.
Buttler was declared the Player of the Match as well as Player of the Series for his outstanding performance with the bat. The England skipper finished the series with 261 runs to his name at an outstanding average of 130.50.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Player of the Series 🙌
261 runs off 250 balls 🏏
18 fours and 10 sixes 💥🇿🇦 #SAvENG 🏴 | @josbuttler pic.twitter.com/9Dbjl0UEe8
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 1, 2023
🏴 ENGLAND WIN 🏴
A cracking all-round performance to finish with the win ✅ #ENGvsSA pic.twitter.com/i8aayChPet
— England's Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) February 1, 2023
🚨 RESULT | ENGLAND WIN BY 59 RUNS
Wickets at regular intervals stifled the chase as England claim victory in the final match of the #SAvENG Betway ODI Series #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/BkVAKLds6b
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) February 1, 2023
Couldn’t watch the Eng vs SA game. But I am so happy for Jofra Archer after all he’s been through. 6-40🔥🔥
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) February 1, 2023
Jofra Archer finishes with 6-40 – his best international figures – as England win by 59 runs. South Africa take a very fun series 2-1.
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) February 1, 2023
The 127 balls Jos Buttler faced today are the most he's ever faced in an ODI. Remarkable innings from 14-3 – and suggests that Buttler could thrive batting at No 4, to give him even more scope to influence the game. he averages 47 with a strike rate of 120 since World Cup 2-15
— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) February 1, 2023
6 for 40 by Jofra Archer to seal the 3rd ODI for England, playing his 2nd Intl match since 2021, he is well & truly back. pic.twitter.com/QoGJKN7uU8
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 1, 2023
Jos Buttler today batted 13 consecutive dot balls for the first time in his ODI career and still finished with 131. England added 217 runs in the last 20 overs to take their total to 346-7. After 30 overs, they were 129-3. Superb comeback.
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) February 1, 2023
Jos Buttler today batted 13 consecutive dot balls for the first time in his ODI career and still finished with 131. England added 217 runs in the last 20 overs to take their total to 346-7. After 30 overs, they were 129-3. Superb comeback.
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) February 1, 2023
Few players are underappreciated more on the international circuit right now than Dawid Malan. #SAvENG
— Nick Howson (@NickHowson) February 1, 2023
Best ODI bowling figures against SA in SA
6/40 – Jofra Archer🏴 today
5/16 – Wasim Akram🇵🇰 in 1993
5/22 – Yuzvendra Chahal 🇮🇳 in 2018
5/23 – James Anderson🏴 in 2009— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) February 1, 2023
England cricketer Jofra Archer does the Marcus Rashford celebration! pic.twitter.com/rwK9FhYVaK
— 𝗧𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗴’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘀 ✍🏼🇳🇱 (@TenHagBall_) February 1, 2023