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A ninth score over fifty for Malan in an awkward contest – thanks to an awkward pitch in Paarl – reconfirmed his status as the world’s No. 1 T20 batsman as England overhauled their target of 147 with one ball to spare.

When Chris Jordan flicked the winning runs over the legside, nonstriker and skipper Eoin Morgan could jog down the pitch in delight at a series won with a game still to come.

Morgan’s 26 not out from 17 balls was an important contribution after joining his former Middlesex teammate in the middle at 83- 4.

But it was Malan who deservedly claimed the man- of- the- match gong with his well- paced 55 from 40 balls.

Born in Roehampton, Malan grew up within a stone’s throw of Boland Park where he made his first- class debut.

And the one- time Paarl Boys’ High School student admitted this is where he learnt the game.

“It is great to come back and win a game for England,” said Malan.

“I grew up here, learned my cricket out the back in the nets and made my first- class debut here.

“My local knowledge didn’t help me at all, though. The pitch was a lot slower than I’m used to playing on and the spinners bowled much more slowly too.

“I did enjoy batting with Eoin, we tend to dovetail quite well together and he’s the man that matters.

“You can talk about selectors and coaches but he is the one that matters in terms of who plays for his team and the way they play.”

Morgan and Malan added 51 together before the latter tried to take

KEEPING THINGS TIGHT: Jofra Archer had a good day

“These lads are quite simply hard as nails.

“Seriously powerful and talented athletes who can’t half shift.

“They get smashed and

I mean SMASHED and just crack on.

“Closest thing I’ve seen to actual fighting g in team sports this, his brilliant viewing. Wow is all I have to say – well done to Jack Welsby. Proper fellas and also

PROPER role models – I’m now a Saints fan.” Now Welsby, 19, wants to welcome Bellew to the Totally Wicked Stadium in 2021. He said: “It’s what our game needs really.

“He’s a massive personality, it would be good for the game to have someone identify it for being as good as it is.

“I saw Chris Kamara getting involved too, which is great.”