South Africa finally managed a victory against England, meaning the one-day series is still alive going into the fourth match. Join The Roar for live scores from 10:30pm (AEDT).
England have had just about the dream tour of South Africa so far. After winning the Test series 2-1, they came out with very strong showings in the first two ODIs to claim strong victories.
The tourists ran up almost 400 in the first game, before the Duckworth Lewis Method saw them take the win. The second game had South Africa batting first and making 262, and England chased the target down with five wickets in hand.
The third match saw Joe Root score 125 as he guided England to 318 from their 50 overs. Quinton De Kock and Hashim Amla then came out and almost single-handedly chased down the target, putting on 239 in 36 overs for their opening partnership. It left just 80 runs to get from 14 overs, and with nine wickets in the shed it was never in doubt.
De Kock has been in excellent form all series, and looks to be the key for South Africa. In the first game he scored 138 from 96 balls, and his only failure came in the second game, where he scored 22.
England must be aware that AB De Villiers hasn’t really got going yet. He might have scored 73 in the second game, but hasn’t had a chance to show off and score at a high strike rate.
For England, it has been Alex Hales doing the damage, scoring 57, 99 and 65 across the three games, getting England off to a good start in each.
Prediction
South Africa might have kept their series hopes alive in the third match, but it is difficult to see them doing so again. England to win a close one.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of this clash from 10:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below as the match unfolds.
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Ronan O'Connell
Expert
For all the hype over "new" England, in SA, they have just one bowler who averages under 30 in ODIs and that's Topley (averaging 29) who as a 125 to 130kmh kmh seam bowler doesn't look likely to prosper. I understand the hype is a home-town over-reaction because of how horrendous England have been at ODIs the past 25 years, but it does a disservice to the current side. They'd be much better served developing under the radar rather than having the spotlight thrust on them so quickly, as has happened the past six months after a handful of wins.