Bavuma’s ton keeps SA’s automatic 2023 WC qualification hopes alive

BLOEMFONTEIN: South Africa’s late push for automatic qualification to the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup in India received a significant boost on Sunday after their incredible run-chase in Bloemfontein in the second ODI against England, which saw them win by five wickets.

A century from skipper Temba Bavuma (109 off 102 balls) laid the platform for South Africa’s third-highest successful ODI runchase on Sunday as they gained a 2-0 lead in the three-match series against England. Bavuma’s second ODI ton was followed by valuable contributions from the middle order during the 343-run chase, including an unbeaten 65-run stand for the sixth wicket between David Miller (58*) and Marco Jansen (32*). The hosts chased down the total with five balls to go. Every batter from the top seven crossed 25 as South Africa recorded a stunning win to give their aspirations of automatic qualification to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 a boost.

Aiden Markram (49), Rassie van der Dussen (38) also played some solid innings. Olly Stone (2/48) was the pick of the bowlers for England. Spinner Adil Rashid also got two wickets but gave away 72 runs in his 10 overs. Sam Curran got one wicket.

Earlier, England put up a total of 342/7 in 50 overs. After the top three consisting of Jason Roy, Dawid Malan and Ben Duckett disappointed, Harry Brook (80 off 75 balls), skipper Jos Buttler (94* off 81 balls) and all-rounder Moeen Ali (51 off 45 balls) helped bring England back into the game.

Anrich Nortje (2/64) was the pick of the bowlers for SA. Wayne Parnell, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram and Keshav Maharaj took a wicket each.

Bavuma was given the ‘Man of the Match’ for his brilliant ton.

South Africa did their chances of qualifying directly some harm when they withdrew from a scheduled ODI series in Australia earlier this year but back-to-back wins in this series have given the Proteas hope of avoiding the tricky qualifiers in Zimbabwe.