Quinton de Kock scored a beautiful hundred but a batting collapse at the death prevented South Africa from posting a formidable total in the third ODI on Sunday.
The Proteas will have to bowl extremely well on a surface that was described as the best batting pitch of the series so far.
South Africa finished on 270-7, at least 30 runs short of a good total. They managed only 60 runs in the last 10 overs after cruising on 210-3 after 40 overs.
The collapse, which saw three wickets fall in the space of nine overs, seriously dented South Africa’s onslaught in the final 10 overs. It started when Faf du Plessisaf shuffled across off-stump, lost his balance and he toppled over. He skewered it in the air, popping a catch to short third man running back, for a well-played 60 off 63 balls.
De Kock, who finally managed to build on a good start by converting it into a wonderful 103 off 118 deliveries, followed seven balls later when he was run out, reacting too late to a call from AB de Villiers.
The opener had been battling fatigue and cramps in the latter part of his innings and didn’t have the legs to scramble over in time.
A beautiful platform had been set for De Villiers who came in at N0 5, but he was trapped lbw for four trying to hit through the off-side. It was a massive blow for the visitors and broke all the momentum they had build so patiently throughout the innings.
On 210-5, it was up to JP Duminy and Farhaan Behardien to take advantage of the final 10 overs, but they never quite got going as Duminy fell for 14 with 20 deliveries left.
Picture: BCCI
