LAST ACTION HERO
Tom’s heroics with the ball and Moeen’s blitz save day
EOIN MORGAN saluted a “standout innings” from Moeen Ali and Tom Curran’s “courage” with the ball as England levelled the series 1-1 with South Africa on a dramatic night at Kingsmead.
Victory by two runs was secured by Curran, who took two wickets with the final two deliveries.
But defences had been set up earlier by a blistering 39 in 11 balls from Moeen as England piled up 204-7.
For all the big hitting, though, the game boiled down to a gladiatorial contest between Curran and the home batsmen.
Needing 15 off the last over, the South Africans got close, but Curran kept them at bay with some nerveless slower balls. “Moeen was the standout performer with the bat, it was a match-winning innings given the way things turned out in the end,” said England skipper Morgan.
“With Tom, it takes courage to bowl a gamble ball like the one out of the back of the hand off the last ball, and it was a good catch by Adil Rashid.”
Curran’s final two deliveries, with South Africa needing three to win, were a real test.
But he pinned Dwaine Pretorius lbw with the first and then sent down a back-of-thehand slower ball which Bjorn Fortuin ramped straight to
Rashid at short fine leg. The victory has set up a series decider at Centurion on Sunday and, after the first two games, it could be another belter.
Kingsmead witnessed 28 maximums, including three hit clean out of the ground.
Moeen and Quinton De Kock, with a glorious 65, were brilliant with the bat.
Chris Jordan, who took 2-31 and produced some ruthless death yorkers, equalled the duo with his skilful bowling.
The decision to promote Jos Buttler to the top of the batting order failed for the second consecutive match. Following his 15 in East London, the keeper fell for two here in the third over.
It brought together the pair who plenty feel should be opening the innings – Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow.
Bairstow brought up a 50 partnership off 22 balls with the second of two sixes off Andile Phehlukwayo before losing his off stump for a 17-ball 35.
Moeen was superb when he came in, racing to 25 in seven balls. De Kock then more than matched him as South Africa compiled a quickfire opening stand of 92.
David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen gave momentum to the charge but Jordan, with two wickets in two balls in the 17th over, applied the brakes and left the way clear for Curran to seal a nail-biting win.