Stokes, Wood help England wrap up South Africa ODI series win

Dimitri Kondonis

Mark Wood defended seven off the final over to help England wrap up a series win against South Africa at the Ageas Bowl.

Having lost the toss and been put in to bat again, England wracked up 330-6 thanks to a century from Ben Stokes and a 65* from Jos Buttler.

South Africa, led by Quinton de Kock 98 (103) and backed up late by David Miller 71* (51) and Chris Morris 36* (22), looked set to level the series but Wood’s final-over heroics put England 2-0 up in the three-match series.

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England wrap up series

England took first spoils at Headingley when they saw off South Africa by 72 runs, having been put in to bat.

On Wednesday, it was skipper Eoin Morgan who led the way, bagging a century and then making the right tactical decisions to strangle South Africa in the reply.

And England looked set to seal the three-match series at the Ageas Bowl when they set the visitors 331 in the chase again.

But after a brilliant platform set by Quinton de Kock, who fell on 98 (103), the South Africa seemed on cruise control for the most part.

A few nerves ensued after wickets started to fall for South Africa, but David Miller and Chris Morris slogged their way back into the game as Jake Ball and Mark Wood didn’t seem to be able to stop the runs flowing.

But Wood pulled off a fantastic final over to keep England in it – and they wrapped up a series win.

Ben Stokes celebrates England taking a wicket against South Africa
Ben Stokes celebrates England taking a wicket against South Africa

Something about catches

The old adage goes ‘catches win matches’. Well, South Africa will never find that out, if they continue like this.

Their fielding efforts weren’t fantastic at Headingley, but they suffered a diabolically bad day in the field in Southampton, with several mis-fields on top of the six drops.

Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock, usually so reliable, led the clangers with two drops each – and Ben Stokes was put down twice in his first two balls.

Fitting then, that the Durham man went on to slog his way to 101. Not positive signs for the world’s highest ranked ODI team ahead of a tough Champions Trophy campaign.

And guess what? They lost by two runs. Suffice to say, catches win matches.


Ben Stokes shows his worth

There were question-marks over Stokes’ appearance in the game after he picked up a knock to the knee in Leeds. England were left sweating on his fitness until yesterday, when the all-rounder passed a fitness test.

Yeah, so that happened. And in a way that is so defiantly Stokes, he survived a very nervy opening over to slog his way to an entertaining century.

It was his second ODI century, his first against South Africa, and involved some brilliantly improvised shots. Oh, and he took a wicket.

Alongside Jos Buttler’s late efforts, the duo led England to a big score. And Buttler’s knock shouldn’t be undervalued, his fearless reverse-hitting – ending in 65 not out – propelled England in the death overs as he dismantled the visiting attack.

Unfortunately for him, it proved in vain, and England no doubt would have liked to bowl him more but for fears over his fitness.

South Africa and England went head-to-head at the Ageas Bowl
Kagiso Rabada takes the wicket of Jason Roy

England gain some nifty experience

One particular positive to be taken from both games is that the visitors opted on both occasions to put England in to bat.

It’s reasonable to assume that South Africa skipper AB de Villiers felt batting second would give his side an edge, therefore the fact England were victorious in both matches undoubtedly adds an edge to their win.

Despite losing early wickets in both games, the hosts collected themselves and formed crucial partnerships to put on a good score. In this instance, Stokes combined with Morgan 95 (103) and Buttler 77 (63) to really push England on.

Buttler and Ali 78 (40) also clocked up crucial runs at the death to just give England a good score to defend, which proved just about defendable.

And for Wood to defend seven off the last over will be ever-more handy, come June.

Stokes fears re-emerge

England’s superman emerged from a cloud of injury concerns in time to make the second ODI.

He came, he blasted a century, he took a wicket, but it seems he didn’t quite conquer.

He only managed to bowl three overs and the star man was receiving treatment throughout the day. Sure England won’t risk him for the Lord’s match on Monday ahead of the Champions Trophy?