England Lions slipped to a 78-run defeat by South Africa A in the final match of their tour. Set to score 288 for victory the visitors had slipped to 92-4 before half centuries from Jonny Bairstow and Nottinghamshire’s Samit Patel gave the tourists hope.
Bairstow made 64 and Patel scored 55 but when both fell the tail subsided quickly, leaving the Lions all out for 209 in just 42.4 overs.
South Africa A had made 287-6 from their 50 overs, bolstered by an innings of 107 from opener Reeza Hendricks. The 25-year old right-hander added 149 for the first wicket with Dean Edgar, who made 66, before going on to complete his second century of the 5-match series.
Hendricks had scored his runs from 128 balls, hitting 10 fours and a six, having made 141 in the second ODI in Kimberley.
Yorkshire’s Jack Brooks claimed 3-55 for the Lions, whilst Harry Gurney returned figures of 9-0-57-1, bowling the first and last overs of the contest, as well as bowling in the batting powerplay. County team-mate Patel went wicketless, ending with 0-30 from his 6 overs.
The Lions had opted to field first after captain James Vince had won the toss but the South African openers prevented any early breakthroughs as they moved to 49-0 from the opening 10 overs.
Gurney had shared the new ball with Brooks, before both gave way to Tim Bresnan and Boyd Rankin.
Reeza Hendricks moved to his 50 (59 balls 7x4) at the start of the 17th over. His partner, the left-handed Dean Elgar, reached the same milestone (57 balls 6x4) shortly afterwards, his third half century of the series.
Adil Rashid was heaved away by Hendricks for the first maximum of the day but the leg spinner experienced better fortune as he picked up Edgar’s wicket in the 29th over, thanks to a sharp catch at the wicket by Sam Billings.
Hendricks, who has made five T20 international appearances for the full South African side, reached his 100 (123 balls 10x4 1x6) during the 36th over and the 200 came up an over later.
Theunis de Bruyn (29) helped keep up a healthy run-rate, hitting four boundaries in quick succession before being bowled by Brooks.
Hendricks was eventually dismissed in the 39th over, leaving the score on 210-3, bowled by a full straight delivery from Bresnan as he looked to hit over extra cover.
Khaya Zondo (7) drove straight back into the hands of Brooks, who then induced Stiaan van Zyl (21) to chop back onto his stumps.
Gurney picked up a wicket late on, as Dane Vilas (8) slashed him into the hands of Rankin at backward point.
The Lions reply was delayed after a couple of the floodlights failed but once play began they lost Billings (5) in the third over.
Jason Roy hit a couple of forceful boundaries before being bowled by Beuran Hendricks for only 10, to leave the visitors on 21-2.
Vince made 23 but was then caught at backward point, leaving Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes in together.
Stokes (14), who blasted an undefeated 151 in the previous match, launched Kagiso Rabada high over the ropes at square leg but then top-edged a pull and gave the same bowler an easy caught and bowled chance.
Patel arrived at the crease with the Lions on 92-4 and he showed his intent by quickly moving to 12 with three boundaries.
76 were added in 14.2 overs for the fifth wicket, with Bairstow reaching his 50 from 58 balls (5x4 1x6) but with the tide shifting towards the batting side, Bairstow was given out lbw to the left arm spin of Elgar.
Runs began to dry up, as the Lions could only muster 18 in the next 7.2 overs before Rashid (8) was caught behind off Chris Morris. With 102 needed from only 12 overs Patel went on the offensive, hitting Rabada for a 6 and a 4, bringing his 50 up in the process (67 balls 5x4 1x6) but he then holed out in the same over.
Bresnan (1) fell to a catch on the third man fence and both Brooks (8) and Rankin (1) were caught behind, leaving Gurney 0 not out.
The victory was just a consolation for the hosts, with the Lions taking the series by three wins to one, with one match being abandoned.
Trent Bridge hosts the fourth Royal London One-Day International between England and New Zealand on Wednesday 17 June. Don't miss the chance to take in what promises to be an absorbing contest and secure your seat now.