SOUTH AFRICA - ENGLAND
South Africa keep one day series alive against England
A huge opening stand from Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla, who both hit hundreds, allowed the hosts to chase down England's target of 318 and stay in the series.
An almighty opening partnership of 239 from Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla propelled South Africa to victory by seven wickets at Centurion, and kept the five match series alive, with England ahead 2-1.
England won the toss and decided to bat, and it seemed to have been a decent decision, as they made what looked like a competitive 318 for eight, with Joe Root making a career-best of 125.
England captain Eoin Morgan admitted: 'I certainly thought at half-time that we would win the game.'
But De Kock and Amla had other thoughts as they purred through the runs to post South Africa's fifth highest ODI partnership of 239, just 17 behind the side's best ever of 256.
De Kock was in majestic form as he made 135 off 117 balls, with 16 fours and four sixes before he hit leg-spinner Adil Rashid, England's best bowler, to Root at mid-off.
Amla went on to make 127 before flashing at a wide ball from Chris Jordan to be caught behind with just eight runs needed. From there South Africa cantered home with 22 balls left to be delivered.
South African captain AB de Villiers praised an 'unbelievable' effort by De Kock and Amla but said he was always confident South Africa could win.
'We were up for it today,' said De Villiers. 'There was urgency in the field and a bit of hunger. I would have bowled first. Quite a few of us come from here and we know it is difficult to defend here at night.'
England's Joe Root made his 125 off 113 balls with ten fours and five sixes, scarcely playing a false stroke. He shared a second wicket partnership of 125 with Alex Hales, who made 65 off 73 balls, and 82 for the fifth wicket with Ben Stokes, who slammed 53 off 37 balls.
A mix-up with Stokes caused Root to be run out and South Africa came back into the match by taking another three wickets, including that of Stokes, in quick succession.
David Willey and Adil Rashid scored 27 runs off the last 15 balls of the innings as England finished strongly
With lightning flashing around the ground early in the South African innings, De Kock and Amla were soon ahead of the required run rate should play have been stopped. But the weather cleared and they batted on serenely.
De Kock, at the age of 23, became the youngest player to score ten one-day international centuries, reaching the mark off 96 balls, while Amla scored his 22nd one-day hundred off 109 deliveries.
Morgan paid tribute to 'an incredible opening partnership' by the South African pair but added: 'We didn't string together enough balls in the right areas to put pressure on them.'