Malan sees England home for 2-0 lead against South Africa
Paarl, South Africa - Dawid Malan returned to the town where he grew up and guided England to a series-clinching victory over South Africa in the second Twenty20 international at Boland Park in Paarl on Sunday.
The left-handed Malan made 55 off 40 balls to anchor a tricky chase. England reached a target of 147 with four wickets and one ball to spare.
Malan, 33, was born in England but grew up in Paarl and attended the local high school. He made his first-class debut for the Boland provincial team at Boland Park in February 2006 before going back to England and playing for Middlesex.
"My cricket was learnt in the nets at the back here," he told SuperSport television. "It was nice to come home and win a game for England."
South Africa could only manage 146 for six after being sent in on a slow pitch, which offered help to the spinners. Leg-spinner Adil Rashid took two for 23.
England struggled in reply, with left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi taking a career-best three for 19, dismissing England big guns Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes.
Malan, batting at No 3, admitted that he struggled to time the ball at the start of the innings but he found his touch in a fifth-wicket stand of 51 with captain Eoin Morgan before falling to an athletic catch on the long-on boundary.
Reeza Hendricks leapt to stop the ball going for six, landing over the boundary but returning to the field to complete the catch.
South African skipper Quinton de Kock said he believed his team had been unlucky in another tight match.
France to meet England in Autumn Nations Cup final
Head coach Fabien Galthie said France were perfect after winger Gabin Villiere, one of 11 debutants, scored a solo try as they beat Italy 36-5 at the Stade de France on Saturday to reach next weekend's Autumn Nations Cup final. Les Bleus play England in the final at Twickenham next weekend. Villiere, 24, who was playing in French rugby's third tier 18 months ago, crossed in a fruitful eight minutes during the second half with the Azzurri down to 14 men after Jacopo Trulla was yellow-carded.
Earlier, Eddie Jones praised England for avoiding more 'Psycho horror movie drama' on Welsh soil following a 24-13 win over Wales in Llanelli, UK, on Saturday.
The Six Nations champions did not have things all their own way, however, and were only 11-7 ahead at half-time at Parc Y Scarlets.