South Africa won the second ODI at Durban by 13 runs. It doesn't show how Pakistan stayed in the game just when it looked like South Africa would steamroller them.
In the ODI format, there aren't many opening partnerships than
Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt. Both looked in good form before Wolvaardt found
a way to run herself out for the second game in a row.
With Lee in the mood, it could have been a long 50 overs in
the field. South Africa failed to convert their good start into a score of 300.
Had it not been for Marizanne Kapp with 68 out of 45 balls, South Africa may
not have made it past 230.
Kapp also took three wickets as she left Pakistan 17 for two. Ayabonga Khaka was the star with the
ball with figures of four for 40. Omaima Sohail 41, Nida Dar 51 and Aliya Riaz 81 took Pakistan close
to what would have been a remarkable win.
England's fast bowling trio took all ten Sri Lankan wickets.
It does raise doubts with England's spinners Jack Leach and Dom Bess. It is not
an easy fix of course and to then compare England's spinners with Sri Lanka's
on their home turf can cause problems not there.
Zak Crawley and Dom Sibley both fell for single-figure
scores before Joe Root, and Jonny Bairstow lead the re-build.
With three days of this series, left attention has started
to shift towards the tour of India. What is sure is that it will be a tough ask
to win there. England will have Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer available for that
tour, and while it won't solve all these problems, it will solve some.
England's women travel to New Zealand tomorrow and should
prove to be an intriguing series. Since September, most of England's players
haven't played a competitive game while others did play in the WBBL before
Christmas.
It will be a good chance for New Zealand to start well.
England has been slow starters in recent years, and with New Zealand's players
been in domestic action, there should be a few close games.
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