Malan sinks Proteas as England seal T20 series

Dawid Malan scored a well-paced half-century as England sealed the KFC T20 series with a match to spare with a four-wicket victory over South Africa at Eurolux Boland Park in Paarl on Sunday afternoon.

Malan, who had faced 29 deliveries for 25 runs, suddenly accelerated, bringing up his 50 off just 39 balls before a brilliant piece of fielding from Reeza Hendricks brought his innings to a close, departing for 55 from 40 balls with seven boundaries and a glorious straight-drive six off Lungi Ngidi (4-0-51-2).

England, set a target of 147 after winning the toss and bowling first, reached 150 for six with one ball to spare with captain Eoin Morgan ending unbeaten on 26 from 17 balls which included three boundaries and a six.

To their credit, South Africa fought hard all the way with Tabraiz Shamsi (4-0-19-3) claiming his career-best figures and kept the Proteas in the match.

Rashid gets Faf

Shamsi bowled beautifully with the ball of day claiming the wicket of Jos Buttler (22), a beautifully flighted delivery that crashed into the middle stump.

Shamsi also claimed the wickets of Jonny Bairstow (3) and Ben Stokes (16) while Ngidi made the initial breakthrough by having Jason Roy (14) caught in the covers by Heinrich Klaasen and finally getting Malan after being bludgeoned for a couple of boundaries.

Kagiso Rabada (3.5-0-26-1) claimed a consolation wicket by having Sam Curran (1) playing onto his stumps in the final over but with just three runs to get off four balls, Chris Jordan (four not out) and Morgan saw to it that England clinched the series.

"That wicket played so differently to what I was used to but it was so nice to be back home. It was a pity no crowd was allowed and my parents couldn't come and watch," said Malan.

INEPT BATTING DISPLAY

Earlier, an inept batting display from the home side put them on the back foot with Quinton de Kock top-scoring with 30 from 18 balls while George Linde, came a close second with a much-needed 29 from 20 balls after South Africa had seem to be struggling to reach 120.

Linde’s partnership with Rassie van der Dussen (25 not out) of 44 for the sixth wicket off 35 balls gave the South African attack something to bowl at.

Linde’s innings included two fours and a six while Van der Dussen failed to cross the rope in his 29-ball stay at the crease.

Quinton assesses the match

The Proteas got off to a flyer with Temba Bavuma (13) and De Kock adding 33 runs for the first wicket off 22 balls but then the wheels fell off.

Bavuma toe-ended a ball from Jofra Archer (4-0-18-1) onto his stumps while De Kock toe-ended a ball from Jordan (4-0-29-1) to Tom Curran at mid-on.

Faf du Plessis (11) and Hendricks (16) failed to make an impression while Klaasen fell for just seven.

Adil Rashid was brilliant with his spinners, claiming 2-23 in four overs while Curran ended with 1-37 and brother Sam bowled just two overs for 24 runs.

"It was a much-improved performance with a lot of positives," Morgan said.

The teams move back to Newlands for the third and final T20 international on Tuesday before the three-match ODI series begins at Newlands next Friday.

SOUTH AFRICA: Quinton de Kock (capt & wk), Temba Bavuma, Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi

ENGLAND: Jason Roy, Jos Buttler (wk), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Eoin Morgan (capt), Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Jofra Archer, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid