South African bowlers held their nerves to secure a narrow win over England.
Asked to bat first, the Proteas posted 163/6 on the board, courtesy of of Quinton de Kock’s 38-ball 65 and David Miller’s 28-ball 43.
In reply, the defending champions lost their top four – Philip Salt (11), Jos Buttler (17), Jonny Bairstow (16) and Moeen Ali (9) – cheaply.
While Harry Brook (53 off 37) and Liam Livingstone (33 off 17) produced fine knocks in the middle overs, they failed to take England over the line.
For South Africa, Keshav Maharaj (2/25 in 4 overs) and Kagiso Rabada (2/32 in 4 overs) picked up two scalps each whereas Anrich Nortje (1/35 in 4 overs) and Ottneil Baartman (1/27 in 3 overs) returned with wicket apiece.
The Three Lions required 14 from the last over, but Nortje got Brook out on the first ball and allowed only six runs, restricting them to 156-6.
As the South African bowlers held their nerves to pull off a tense win, emotions ran wild in the dressing room. Aiden Markram and his men were seen pumped up as they made their way into the dressing room after the end of the match.
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After the game, South African skipper Markram said: “Last three overs we had a lot against us but the bowlers had good plans and pulled it off. Message after the powerplay was it got slower. If I am greedy we were 10-20 short especially after the start we got. Not quite played a completely game of cricket but we are on the right track. Quinny (de Kock) has been good for us in the last two games. It was a bit nerve-wracking in those overs but it can happen. The plans were there just the execution wasn't. I'm grateful that catch (off Brook) stuck.”
With this victory, South Africa moved to the top of the group with four points from two matches. South Africa will face hosts West Indies in their last Super 8 match in Antigua on June 23.