SA two runs short in thriller
AS TOURNAMENT preparations go, last night’s tense chase by South Africa against England was just what the doctor ordered. There was a meaty total of 330 on the board for the Proteas to pursue, a decent track, and a captive audience.
Beyond the Stormers’ visit to Kings Park, amidst the drama of the FA Cup, two of the Champions Trophy’s staunchest challengers served up a tussle as sincere as the Southampton sun was brilliant.
But, in the cold light of retrospect, South Africa will know they chucked it – and several times, too, just to be sure. Going into the final over, David Miller (71 from 51 balls) and Chris Morris (36 from 22 balls) needed seven to seal a famous chase of 331, but were denied by a nerveless Mark Wood, who secured a tworun win for England.
South Africa’s much-vaunted engine room, from five to the gallows down below, were put to the test and, though Miller and Morris just about got there, they didn’t quite make it.
There will be loud laments about the balls gobbled up by the ineffective Farhaan Behardien, who replaced JP Duminy.
Had Morris come in ahead of him, there may have been a different conclusion. But the world doesn’t revolve on what-ifs and if-onlys.
South Africa, brutal as it may sound, gave their rivals fresh ammunition to aim at them and their ability to soak up pressure in a high-stakes chase.
Quinton de Kock, as is his wont, followed up his failure in Leeds with a masterly 98. Where he had thrashed aimlessly three days before, he oozed timing and temperament, back in the groove of season past.
More was the pity that he didn’t reach three figures, but bank on him coming good when it really matters. Between he and AB de Villiers (52), they just about broke the back of the English total, with an alliance dripping with quality and intent. But, just like Messrs Amla and Du Plessis, there was a dereliction of duty.