South Africa 71 for 2 (Hendricks 35*) v England – match abandoned
Persistent dismal weather had the final say in the second ODI at Kingsmead, where only 11.2 overs were possible in a match that was twice reduced in length, to 45 then 26 overs, before finally being abandoned shortly after 7pm. The washout leaves South Africa 1-0 up in the series, with the final game to come at Johannesburg on Sunday.
South Africa lost two wickets in the course of the truncated contest, one in each mini-session. Joe Root bowled Quinton de Kock for 11, just as he had done after his matchwinning century at Cape Town, before Temba Bavuma was trapped lbw by Chris Jordan for 21 by the final ball of the contest – again, a near-replica of the leg-stump skidder than pinned him for 98 in the first game.
The contest had already been delayed by an hour and three-quarters when England won the delayed toss and chose to bowl first on a surface that both captains expected to prove a bit tacky after sweating under the covers.
But in an initial five-over new-ball burst from Chris Woakes and Sam Curran, England were pushed onto the back foot. There was next to no swing on offer, as de Kock and Reeza Hendricks continued in the same positive vein with which South Africa had secured a seven-wicket win in Tuesday’s opening match at Cape Town.
But, England struck back through an unlikely source, as Root’s offspin entered the attack for the sixth over, and struck within five balls, as his flat line from round the wicket skidded beneath de Kock’s attempted cut to dismiss him for the second match running.
It could have been a vital incision, given de Kock’s fluent form throughout England’s visit this winter. But there was time for just four more deliveries before the rain returned, moments after Hendricks had drilled Woakes through extra cover for his third four of the afternoon.
A further three-hour delay ensued, and it was something of a surprise when the conditions cleared at 6pm local time, with England’s players initially caught on the hop by the speed of the turnaround.
Tom Curran and Matt Parkinson took up the bowling duties in what was effectively a T20 scenario, with Curran being slapped for a big six over midwicket as Bavuma picked up a length ball.
Bavuma then cracked Parkinson for a one-bounce four back over his head, before Jordan pinned him on the crease and earned the lbw decision via a successful referral. Moments later the rain returned, and that was the end of that.
South Africa had named one change to the side that won handsomely on Tuesday, with the left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin coming into the side to make his 50-over debut in place of the paceman Lungi Ngidi, who is being eased back into action following his lengthy injury lay-off. He’ll have to wait another day for his first proper day of action.