South Africa keep series alive with dramatic win

Taunton: South Africa were quite the opposite of the side that plonked about on the field in their first T20I against England. The hosts were on the way to chasing down the target of 175 that the Proteas had set for them but the latter turned it around in the last five overs to win the match.

Jason Roy was leading the chase for England. The opener, who struggled to find form in the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy, continued where he left off in the first T20I. He and Jonny Bairstow set up what looked like a confirmed victory for England. Bairstow was eventually dismissed after a 110-run stand for the second wicket.

But Roy kept chipping away and a victory looked imminent for England. That was when a mix-up led to Roy being dismissed for obstructing the field. South Africa came roaring back into the game after that.

Andile Phehlukwayo delivered a superb final over as South Africa beat England by three runs in a thrilling Twenty20 international at Taunton on Friday. South Africa made 174 for eight with JJ Smuts contributing 45 and skipper AB de Villiers striking 46 from 30 balls. England will feel they should have won after being well placed but they struggled in the closing overs.

The hosts required 12 from the final over but Phehlukwayo, bowling yorker length outside the off stump, restricted England to singles off the first three balls and debutant Liam Livingstone was run out after confusion over a second run.

Liam Dawson smashed the penultimate ball for a one-bounce four but the final delivery from the South African seamer beat Dawson and the tourists levelled the three-match series at 1-1. The deciding match will be played at Cardiff on Sunday.

Brief scores
South Africa - 174 for 8 (de Villiers 46, Curran 3-33)
England - 171 for 6 (Roy 67, Morris 2-18)
Result - South Africa won by three runs