On the night of Valentine’s Day, cricket produced a reminder of why and how much we love the sport at its best. England triumphed in the topsy-turvy second Twenty20 International against South Africa in Durban on Friday to win by two runs and level the three-match series 1-1.
With 15 required from the last over, Dwaine Pretorius narrowed the equation down to three needed from two, but Tom Curran turned out to be the hero for the visitors. He first bowled a brilliant yorker to trap Pretorius LBW before Bjorn Fortuin was dismissed off the final ball, with his paddle sweep finding Adil Rashid at fine leg. The moment was a flashback to Misbah-ul-Haq’s dismissal in the 2007 World T20 final against India, for good measure.
England’s win in a high-scoring match, punctuated by 30 sixes, levelled the three-match series, which will be decided in the third and final match in Centurion on Sunday.
South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first, with Jason Roy (40 from 29) and Jonny Bairstow (35 from 17) laying a solid base after Jos Buttler fell early.
England made 204/7, with player of the match Moeen Ali hitting 39 off 11 balls as the tourists slammed 79 runs off the last five overs. South Africa made 202/7.
South African captain Quinton de Kock then blazed to 65 off 22 balls, hitting eight sixes, in an opening partnership of 92 with Temba Bavuma. It was the fastest half century by a South African in the shortest format.
Rassie van der Dussen (43 not out) and Dwaine Pretorius (25) got South Africa agonisingly close. South Africa needed 15 off the last over and Pretorius hit 12 of them before Curran stepped up in style.
The match was a reminder of why we enjoy the game of cricket and Twitter was abuzz with reactions:
1st T20I: goes to the final ball, 🇿🇦 won by 1 run
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 14, 2020
2nd T20I: goes to the final ball, 🏴 won by 2 runs
Who's looking forward to another final-ball thriller on Sunday then? 🙋♂️🙋♀️#SAvENG pic.twitter.com/ddQIobI5kl
Test cricket. 50 over cricket. T20 cricket. It’s just the best sport in the world. #SAvENG 🏏
— Eleanor Oldroyd (@EllyOldroyd) February 14, 2020
I’m a test match purist but what a T20 series this has been. Bring on Sunday! 🏴🇿🇦
— Matthew Lewis (@Mattdavelewis) February 14, 2020
There's nothing I'd love more than cricket like this. What a game! #SAvENG
— Manya (@CSKian716) February 14, 2020
Imagine hating T20 format in 2020 then you are not even enjoying watching cricket. #SAvENG
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 14, 2020
How good is T20! Outstanding skill on the field, and a brilliant spectacle off it.
— Danny Reuben (@dannyreuben) February 14, 2020
Great colour, excitement, entertainment for the fans.
Loads of kids and families watching and having a great night out. It’s terrific.
Watching sport under lights is always special. #SAvENG 🏏 pic.twitter.com/Vp1IJS2xRI
400+ runs.
— Lungani Zama (@whamzam17) February 14, 2020
15k crowd.
A thrilling finish.
Not a drop of rain.
Thanks, Durban.
Some more, please...#SAvENG
Imagine not having T20 cricket in your life...
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) February 14, 2020
Yet another thrilling encounter between England and South Africa,England won by 2 runs. Quinton De Kock started with bang,unbelievable hitting from him. He made 65 from just 22 balls including 8 SIXES, Rassie Van Der Dussen also batted well for his 43 but rest were disappointing.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 15, 2020
💬It's very easy to get your head down after going for two boundaries - he did really well to hold his nerve and get us over the line.💬
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) February 14, 2020
Chris Jordan praised his death-bowling partner Tom Curran after as England beat South Africa in a thrilling second T20I.#SAvENG 🇿🇦🏴
Don't know I was watching #SAvENG or the highlights of #INDvPAK T-20 World Cup final. pic.twitter.com/Y5SmDU7AVs
— Sunil- the cricketer (@1sInto2s) February 15, 2020
Fair to say the expectations from this @T20WorldCup will be HUGE after the games we have seen in New Zealand and now South Africa. Very little margin separates the top teams.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) February 14, 2020