Tough chase for Proteas

Cardiff, June 25: Dawid Malan became England’s top-scoring Twenty20 international debutant before Dane Paterson led South Africa’s recovery at Cardiff on Sunday.

With the three-match series all square at 1-1, England captain Eoin Morgan took the controversial decision to drop himself, with his place going to Malan.

And fellow Middlesex left-hander Malan responded by making 78 in England’s total of 181 for eight.

Malan’s impressive 44ball innings featuring 12 fours and two sixes, surpassed the 46 made by Paul Collingwood in England’s very first match at this level — a 100-run win over Australia at Southampton in 2005. Alex Hales and Malan shared a secondwicket stand of 105 in 10.3 overs.

But from 166/3, England lost their next five wickets for 14 runs.

Paterson, who was twice on a hat-trick, led South Africa’s attack with four for 32.

South Africa should have had a wicket third ball after skipper AB de Villiers won the toss.

England had yet to score a run when Jason Roy skyed Chris Morris towards square leg.

Wicket-keeper Mangaiso Mosehle set off in pursuit of the steepling chance but, despite getting both gloves to the ball, could not cling on as he dived.

Fortunately for the Proteas, it was not an expensive miss with Roy in the next over when, trying to ‘ramp’ a Morne Morkel delivery that was too close to him, he gave Mosehle a much simpler catch.

Durban-born Roy, whose unusual obstructed the field dismissal proved a turning point in South Africa’s three-run serieslevelling win at Taunton on Friday, was out for eight and England were 13-1. His exit brought in Malan. Born in London but brought up in South Africa, Malan got off the mark in style by pulling Morris for six over midwicket. Scores: England 181/8 in 20 overs (A. Hales 36, D. Malan 78, D. Paterson 4/32, A. Phehlukwayo 2/44).