Ben Stokes inspired England to a thrilling ODI series win with a powerful century as they defeated South Africa by two runs off the last ball of the match to take an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Stokes smacked 101 - his second One-Day International century and joint-best score - off 79-balls as he punished the bowling in a blitz of big hits and aerial drives.
Quinton de Kock managed the South Africa chase, falling two runs short of his century, and was backed up well by half-centuries from AB de Villiers (52) and David Miller (71 not out). But it wasn’t enough as Mark Wood prevented them from scoring the four runs needed off the final delivery.
The victory puts England in place to complete a bilateral whitewash over South Africa for the first time in 26 years.
England had started slowly after being put in to bat for the second time this series, with Jason Roy bowled for eight by Kagiso Rabada. Alex Hales and Joe Root responded well, the pair putting on 58 prior to de Kock catching Hales behind the stumps attempting a tight cut.
Joe Root went soon after at the non-striker’s end, run out by Dwaine Pretorius off his own bowling as Eoin Morgan drove down the ground and the seam bowler got a finger to the ball to guide it onto the stumps.
That brought Stokes to the crease who was only passed fit for the match on Friday after going off during the first ODI with a knee injury. And he could’ve experienced a rather different innings if Hashim Amla had held onto a catch in the slips.
Facing his first ball of the match, Stokes prodded forward to a delivery off debutant Keshav Maharaj and got a thick edge that popped through Amla’s hands for four. Another two edges followed in the over, but from there on Stokes dictated play.
He unfurled a range of destructive shots, sending Andile Phehlukwayo and Chris Morris for three massive sixes. Morgan joined in with the pyrotechnics and looked set for a half-century of his own until edging Rabada to de Kock.
Jos Buttler eased himself into the innings, while Stokes took charge. Yet after the allrounder departed upon reaching three figures, Buttler moved through the gears, dispatching Phehlukwayo for four fours in one over as he closed in on his 50.
Moeen Ali added a useful 33 from 19 balls alongside Buttler, who continued to find the boundary as he made an unbeaten 65, before skying Phehlukwayo to de Kock to close the innings, and set South Africa 331 to win.
In reply, the South African openers made quick work of reaching 50, Amla and de Kock both working the ball around untroubled under the afternoon sun. Amla eventually went leaning back on a thrashed drive in the covers off Stokes that flew straight to Morgan.
The departure of Faf du Plessis, feathering Plunkett to Buttler, brought de Villiers and de Kock together, and the pair combined to take South Africa to a position of control, as they added 96 for the third wicket.
But Morgan searching for a breakthrough turned to Plunkett, and the Yorkshire paceman instantly found reward, dismissing de Villiers soon after reaching his half-century. De Kock didn’t last for much longer, clipping Moeen Ali behind, and England were back in the driving seat.
The removal of the stuttering Farhaan Behardien (17 runs off 25 balls) changed the course of the match once more, but this time in South Africa’s favour. Runs began to flow again as Miller and Chris Morris freed their arms, setting up an exciting finish. The pair reduced the chase to seven off the final over, however Wood bowled superbly at the end to ensure and Morris only managed a single from the final ball when needing a boundary to win.
England captain Eoin Morgan: "Those are the sort of games you really want to win because you learn a lot more from them.
"The game got away from us quite a lot, but Woody came up at the end there with the goods, which was awesome.
"The ICC Champions Trophy is bound to be pretty tight with good teams around so this sort of prep is ideal."
South Africa captain AB de Villiers: "I thought the boys played so well at the end, England got their plans well at the end. Unfortunately we didn't get across the line, but proud of the effort.
"We lost myself and Quinny together so it could have been easier, but we batted very deep. I can't be unhappy, we fought right to end and probably had it in the back for most of that last half hour."
England will take on South Africa on Monday at Lord's before the ICC Champions Trophy and then the two nations will continue their limited overs contests with a three-match International T20 Series, culminating in Cardiff on 25th June.
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