AFP, Cardiff :
Rilee Rossouw’s unbeaten 96 laid the foundation for South Africa (SA)’s commanding 58-run win in the second Twenty20 International (T20I) against England in Cardiff on Thursday as the Proteas bounced back to level a three-match series at 1-1.
Rossouw’s innings was the cornerstone of a total of 207-3, with Reeza Hendricks making 53 — the opener’s second fifty in as many days.
Left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi then took 3-27 and all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo 3-39 and paceman Lungi Ngidi 2-11 as England, chasing 208 to win, were dismissed for 149 in the 17th over.
South Africa also held several fine catches in a vastly-improved fielding effort following a shoddy display during a 41-run defeat in Wednesday’s series opener at Bristol where England posted an imposing 234-6.
“It’s a great turn around from last night,” said South Africa captain David Miller. “We had a few meetings this morning to clear up a few things.”
England captain Jos Buttler was left to rue the fact that none of his batsmen made more than Jonny Bairstow’s 30.
“A few guys got starts but didn’t play that match-defining innings that Rilee did,” he said.
“We haven’t quite performed to the level we are capable of…It’s set-up for a great decider in Southampton (on Sunday).”
Buttler hit 16 runs in three balls from Phehlukwayo-two sixes followed by a four-onloy to fall for 29 off the next when caught off a soaring top-edge by Hendricks.
England were 77-3 in the ninth over when struggling opener Jason Roy holed out for 20 off Shamsi, with Hendricks holding another good catch.
The Proteas then reduced England to 88-4.
Moeen Ali, who in Bristol had hit England’s quickest T20 fifty off just 16 balls, fell for 28 when he drove Shamsi only for Maharaj, running round from wide long-off, to cling onto the ball low down.
Shamsi, whose three wicketless overs on Wednesday cost an expensive 49 runs, then had Sam Curran caught as he tried to clear the short, straight boundary.
