Another thriller awaits England and South Africa in T20 series decider

All to play for in third and final match in Centurion, which marks the end of a fruitful tour for the visitors

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 14: Tom Curran of England celebrates the final wicket with teammate Eoin Morgan during the Second T20 International match between England and South Africa at Kingsmead Stadium on February 14, 2020 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Powered by automated translation

After two high-intensity T20 matches that went down to the wire, England and South Africa will fight it out for more than just a series win in the third and final game of tour in Centurion on Sunday.

South Africa won the opening T20 match by one run before the visitors held their nerves to triumph by two runs in Durban. If that trend continues, we might have another close match that is decided on the final delivery.

The stakes are very high for South Africa and their new management. After getting walloped in the Test series 3-1, they leveled the ODI clash. If they win on Sunday, the belief will return to the South African camp, especially since this is the year of the T20 World Cup.

England, on the other hand, can already mark the tour as a success. They were excellent in the Test series and despite a slow start to the ODIs, they have hit top gear. The only unfortunate development has been the injury to pace ace Jofra Archer but fellow pacer Mark Wood has risen to the challenge in his absence.

England captain Eoin Morgan was pleased his team kept the T20 series alive, praising pacer Tom Curran who held his nerve to secure the two-run win in Durban, defending three from the final two balls.

Morgan said: "Probably with two balls to go, it was South Africa's game to lose, they were in an unbelievably commanding position.

"The ball that had been reverse swinging had been hit out of the ground and we were back with a normal ball so it was really tough work.

"I thought Tom Curran did an unbelievable job. The more options we have for guys bowling at the death ... variation in the big overs is invaluable.

"We've got guys getting injured all the time, particularly fast bowlers, so I don't think you can have enough guys in your squad of players to deliver that sort of skill. That creates good, healthy competition."

England were indebted to Moeen Ali's 39 off 11 balls that included seven hits to or beyond the boundary.

Morgan said: "Moeen Ali's runs at the end were extremely valuable. He's obviously extremely easy on the eye, very elegant, and relies on his timing a lot. We saw a full swing of the bat which was great.

"We know when he hits form he does run on with it because he is a very confidence-built player which is great, his confidence is high at the moment."

South Africa captain and wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, who held the chase together with an aggressive  65, was not too pleased with the result.

He said: "Both teams are playing really good cricket at the moment. It was just unfortunate we didn't come across the line. They bowled really well at the death, but I think we can get better.

"I'm disappointed we didn't cross the line, it would have been nice. But it's just the way things go."