Lancashire seamer Saqib Mahmood impressed as he helped England square the ODI series against South Africa at 1-1.
Mahmood took a wicket on his maiden One-Day international after the Lions secured a nervy two-wicket victory in Johannesburg.
The 22-year-old finished with fine figures of 1/17 from five overs, including one maiden, as Eoin Morgan’s side rounded off the ODI series with a win.
He dismissed Reeza Hendricks with a brilliant 86mph delivery, which neatly removed the off-stump bail to send South Africa’s opener packing.
The home side went on to make 257 after losing the toss, with De Kock and Miller contributing 69 runs apiece to the total. Adil Rashid was the pick of the bowlers, looking typically dangerous as he posted eye-catching figures of 3-51.
Controversy ensued during the innings after Bavuma was given out LBW. He chose to review, but UltraEdge technology was nowhere in sight. He was given out regardless, as replays appeared to show daylight between bat and ball.
Rassie van der Dussen was the next batsmen to be outfoxed by Rashid as the ball crashed into his pad. He trudged off, but before he reached the boundary he was informed by the umpires that South Africa had a review remaining.
Van der Dussen promptly used the review, and was given not out after the ball was shown to be missing the stumps – it is thought that the umpires may have allowed the hosts to keep their review given that technology had failed Bavuma previously.
In reply, Jason Roy (21) and Jonny Bairstow (43) started in characteristically positive fashion, and after a brief wobble Joe Root and Joe Denly steadied the innings with a 71-run partnership as the visitors neared their total.
Tom Banton’s (32) dismissal sparked a batting collapse, losing four wickets for 20 runs before Moeen Ali helped his team limp over the finish line.
Fellow Lancs bowler Matt Parkinson also made his ODI bow earlier in the series, and both Mahmood and Parkinson are involved in England’s T20I series in South Africa after the latter was called up as a replacement for the injured Jofra Archer.
The series begins on Wednesday at Buffalo Park, East London.
Photo from Lancashire CCC.
