KIMBERLEY, South Africa, Feb 1, CMC – Fast bowler Jofra Archer produced a career-best six-wicket haul in only his second One-Day International in 2-½ years following a long injury layoff, as England outplayed South Africa by 59 runs in the final ODI of the five-match series here Wednesday.
The 27-year-old, who was born and raised in Barbados and played a handful of games for West Indies Under-19s, finished with six for 40 to help bowl South Africa out for 287 off 43.1 overs, the hosts failing in their quest to overhaul an imposing target of 347 at Diamond Oval.
Archer was eclipsed for Man-of-the-Match honours by his captain Jos Buttler, however, the right-hander belting a sparkling 131 from 127 balls in England’s 346 for seven off their 50 overs after being sent in.
Opener Dawid Malan also notched triple figures with 118 from 114 balls, and he combined with Buttler to add 232 for the third wicket to pull England out of trouble at 14 for three in the sixth over, after fast bowler Lungi Ngidi (4-62) sliced through the top order.
Buttler, in at number five, counted half-dozen fours and seven sixes while Malan blasted seven fours and half-dozen sixes.
All-rounder Moeen Ali struck a handy 41 from 23 deliveries at number six, posting a precious 67 for the sixth wicket with Buttler before both perished with the charge on.
In reply, Heinrich Klaasen top-scored with 80 from 62 deliveries and opener Reeza Hendricks struck 52 from 61 balls but the irrepressible Archer proved too much for the hosts.
Hendricks put on 49 for the first wicket with captain Temba Bavuma (35) but two wickets fell in quick succession – Archer getting the second when he had Rassie van der Dussen caught low down at point for five in the 12th over at 62 for two.
Hendricks rebuilt the innings in a 50-run stand with Aiden Markram (39) who then added further 46 for the fourth wicket with Klaasen to keep South African in the hunt.
Archer returned to change the game, getting Markram to hole out to mid-wicket in the 26th over and then removing the dangerous David Miller (13), the left-hander inside-edging a quick one behind in the 28th.
Archer then claimed the key wicket of Klaasen in the 40th over before adding the scalps of Wayne Parnell (34) and Tabraiz Shamsi (1) to wrap up the innings.
