From last-ball nailbiters to record scores, and from nerveless debuts to big performances from seasoned performers, England’s limited-overs encounters against South Africa this winter have been sprinkled with moments of magic.
As Eoin Morgan’s men reflect on a dramatic drawn ODI series and a stunning T20I comeback, we look at six reasons why this has been a white-ball winter to remember.
Secure your seats for the world champions’ return to Trent Bridge this September here…
Third ODI, Johannesburg: England won by two wickets
Rashid’s return
Much of the narrative leading into England’s first ODI series since winning the World Cup has been focussed on renewal.
At the start of a new four-year cycle, was it wise to cling onto a crop of thirtysomethings alongside an exciting new generation of players?
32-year-old Adil Rashid had an emphatic answer.
In his first ODI appearance since last summer’s Lord’s showpiece, the leggie snared Temba Bavuma and Andile Phehlukwayo, but it was his bamboozling of a well-set Quinton de Kock which was crucial in strangling the South African innings.
Mahmood makes his mark
England’s topsy-turvy win also owed a debt to some of the new faces in Eoin Morgan’s setup.
Right-arm quick Saqib Mahmood was making his ODI debut, but looked thoroughly undaunted in taking 1-17 from five overs.
And the delivery which accounted for Reeza Hendricks, moving off the seam to clip the bail, was unplayable.
Second T20I, Durban: England won by two runs
Awe-inspiring Ali
When Moeen Ali came to the crease in England’s innings, the visitors were beginning to wobble after the departures of Eoin Morgan and Joe Denly.
When he departed fewer than three overs later, the left-hander had transformed the course of the innings.
In the ten balls faced before he was dismissed, Moeen hit three fours and four sixes.
No matter the bowler, no matter the delivery, nothing was stopping the all-rounder from finding the fence.
His final six, a sliced drive over deep backward point, may not feature in any coaching manuals, but was breathtaking in its execution.
Tom Curran in total control
Despite Moeen’s virtuoso turn with the bat, South Africa went into their final over needing 15 to win.
And when Dwaine Pretorious hit Tom Curran for two consecutive boundaries, the equation began to swing decisively in the hosts’ favour.
But the Surrey seamer was undaunted.
Curran’s next ball came perilously close to causing a run-out, before the right-armer pinned Pretorious lbw and lured Bjorn Fortuin into a loose shot to secure a nailbiting victory.
Third T20I, Centurion: England won by five wickets
Big hits from Bairstow and Buttler
Heading into the decisive encounter of the series, Jos Buttler’s place at the top of England’s T20 line-up was being called into question.
And when Jason Roy departed in the second over, the heat on the vice-captain only intensified.
His response, in partnership with the equally under pressure Jonny Bairstow, was defiant.
The duo found the boundary with impunity, hitting 16 fours and five sixes between them to take England towards 140 from their opening 12 overs.
Morgan’s magic
When Bairstow departed, skipper Eoin Morgan simply picked up where the Yorkshireman left off – and, if anything, found a higher gear.
Morgan hit seven sixes on his way to an unbeaten 57 from 22 balls – England’s joint-fastest T20 fifty of all time.
In total, the captain hit 136 runs in the series – contributing to a record tally of 1207 runs across the three-match contest, and playing a vital part in one of the most dramatic T20 series of all time.
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Eoin Morgan’s world champions, England, will face Ireland in a One-Day International at Trent Bridge on Thursday 10 September 2020. Secure your seats…