[LOOK] Temba tames 3 Lions: Captain’s ton wins ODI series for SA
Centurion: Temba Bavuma
Proteas captain Temba Bavuma scored a superb 109 score off 102 balls to help South Africa win the three-match ODI series against England 2-0 in Bloemfontein on sunday.
After winning the first match on Friday by 27 runs, thanks in large to Rassie van der Dussen’s 111 that helped SA to post 298/7 before bowling out England for 271 with Sisanda Magala taking 3/46 and Anrich Nortje 4/62, the Proteas again turned on the style on Sunday.
This time around they did the chasing and got home with five wickets in the bank after England scored a helse 342/7 in their 50 overs.
🚨 RESULT | SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 5 WICKETS
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) January 29, 2023
Captain Temba Bavuma's third ODI century set the platform for the remaining batters to pick up where he left off and chase down the 343-run target 🏏
The Betway ODI Series is sealed ✅#SAvENG #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/kEr09Qiu5p
Captain Jos Butler (94* off 82 balls) and Harry Brook (80 off 75) top-scored for the Three Lions, with Nortje (2/64) returning the best bowling figures for SA.
The hosts needed a batting hero and the captain answered the call.
Not selected to play in the SA20 tournament, Bavuma had a point to prove and with opening partner Quinton de Kock having gone for scans to an injured hand earlier on, he had to take the lead.
As the aggressive opener, Bavuma shone as the pair put on 77 for the first wicket before De Kock (31 off 28 balls) was caught at deep square leg off the bowling of Olly Stone.
𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐍𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐫𝐮𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐞𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧!
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) January 29, 2023
The Proteas seal a series win by becoming only the second team to chase 340+ in an ODI against England.
Bavuma top scored with 109 off 102 👏#SAvENG pic.twitter.com/83c3Av7I4D
That is a special knock from Temba Bavuma! 🙌
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) January 29, 2023
It's his third ODI 💯in 22 matches - his second as a captain 🏏
UNREAL BATTING!
📺 Stream #SAvENG live: https://t.co/0BMWdeFwIB pic.twitter.com/UDAEWIiT1S
Bavuma fought on and cramped up with his score on 96 to bring a halt to proceedings.
But when play resumed the steady batter smashed Adil Rashid for a four to bring up his third ODI century.
On 174/1, Bavuma then tried one clever shot too many and scooped a Sam Curran ball onto his stumps.
And when Van der Dussen got out trying to reverse sweep Rashid, the game was in the balance again with SA on 178/3 in the 29th over.
A stunning run-chase from South Africa as they take an unassailable lead in the ODI series 🔥#SAvENG | 📝 https://t.co/PGCzEvxFLF pic.twitter.com/64svNGMALH
— ICC (@ICC) January 29, 2023
There was work to be done and Aiden Markram (49 off 42) did a great job to help rebuild the innings before he was bowled by Rashid (2/72) in the 42nd over to leave Then big guns David Miller (58* off 37 balls) and Marco Jansen (32* off 29) took over to blast SA to 347/5 and the series win with five balls to spare. The final match of the series will be played in Kimberley on Wednesday.