The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Malan makes his mark as England secure series success
England claimed the Twenty20 Series with a 19-run victory against South Africa in Cardiff.
Dawid Malan’s 78 from 44 balls – the highest score by an England player on their Twenty20 debut – was the bedrock of England’s 181 for eight at the Swalec Stadium.
South Africa had kept the three-game series alive by winning a Taunton thriller on Friday.
But the target proved beyond them this time as the Proteas ended on 162 for seven, England taking the series 2-1.
South Africa captain AB de Villiers gave the visitors brief hope of chasing down England with a bludgeoning 35 from 19 balls.
But when De Villiers became a memorable first international victim for leg-spinner Mason Crane at the end of the 11th over, South Africa were 82 for four and England were on their way to victory.
England had enjoyed early success as South Africa’s reply started in familiar fashion.
Tom Curran, just as he had done at Taunton, removed Reeza Hendricks in his first over before Chris Morris pulled Chris Jordan straight to Alex Hales on the square leg boundary.
JJ Smuts soon skied Liam Plunkett to fine leg, but South Africa were always in the game when De Villiers was at the wicket.
However, after hitting two 6s, he fell inches from a third as Hales again showed excellent awareness to stay inside the rope and collect the catch.
Crane’s understandable excitement at his first international wicket was matched by its importance. Mangaliso Mohsele (36) and Andile Phehlukwayo (27 not out) offered spirited resistance late on, but England kept tight lines with Jordan (three for 31 runs) and Curran (two for 22) the pick of the bowlers.
England had earlier appeared to be heading for a 200-plus total before losing momentum and wickets at the end of their innings.
But 181 was still a more than useful total on a day when captain Eoin Morgan had chosen to rest himself and blood new talent.
Jos Buttler took the captaincy but it was Malan who was to become the headline act. The Middlesex left-hander had pressed his case for inclusion with scores of 125 not out and 84 for the England Lions against South Africa A earlier this month.
Although Malan turns 30 at the start of September, this performance suggested he might be around for some time yet.
There was no sign of nerves after the early loss of Jason Roy for eight as Malan hoisted Morris over midwicket for 6 from only his second ball in international cricket.
No Proteas’ bowler was spared punishment. Phehlukwayo and Dane Paterson were sent for boundaries and the first ball he faced from Imran Tahir was hit straight past the leg-spinner for 4.
Even Morne Morkel, sending down 90mph deliveries, was in the firing line with Malan striking him out of the ground and towards the River Taff.
Malan’s half-century came from 31 balls as he shared a second-wicket partnership of 105 with Hales, who was dropped on nine when Phehlukwayo spilled the simplest of chances.
Having required treatment for a bang on the knee, Hales made 36 from 28 balls and Buttler joined the supporting cast with 31.
England still got home with something to spare and get a morale boost ahead of the forthcoming Test series between the two countries.