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Malan's Brilliance Blows Away South Africa to Give England Series Whitewash

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England completed a highly satisfying clean sweep over hosts South Africa in the three-match T20I series with a comprehensive 9-wicket win in the final game, at Cape Town. The star of the show, once again, was batsman Dawid Malan, who finished with 99 not out. He was ably assisted by Jos Buttler who remained unbeated on 67 at the other end. 

Thanks to the superlative batting of these two individuals, a seeminly big target of 192 was chased down by the visitors in just 17.4 overs. For the first time in this series, the toss went in favour of South Africa, but they chose to bat first, the same situation that England put them in during the first two games. 

The Proteas were propped up by two good innings. Faf du Plessis once again came good, scoring 52 off 37 balls. He was bettered by the man with whom he created a 128-run partnership, Rassie van der Dussen. The latter smashing 74 in just 32 balls. This undefeated partnership took South Africa to 191/3 in their 20 overs. 

In reply, England romped home thanks to a blazing 167-run partnership between Buttler and Malan. The wicketkeeper batsman scored 67 off 46 but got upstaged by Malan whose 99 came off just 47 balls. 

Captain's Take

After suggesting that his team wasn't far off the mark in the first two games of the series, South Africa captain de Kock accepted that in this match, they were thoroughly outplayed. But he still thinks his team isn't out of sorts. 

"It's disappointing, but they blew us away. They put our bowlers under a lot of pressure, played cleverly and we couldn't stop them. We are not playing as badly as it is perceived to be. We are coming up against the English first-up and, going forward, the boys are confident." the captain said after the match. 

Eoin Morgan was satisfied by his team's performance in this match. After being apprehensive about aresa of his team's game in the first two matches, the England skipper was full of praise this time. 

"It's extremely pleasing. Dawid and Jos were absolutely outstanding. To win a game in such commanding fashion builds a lot of confidence in the changing room. To be able to chase a total like that, given we didn't get off to an absolute flier, it's very encouraging signs."

Morgan did notice that there is still room for improvement, probably hinting at his team's bowling. 

"We need to put together an allround game, we've progressed nicely, but as regards performance, striving for that collective performance is important," he pertinently added. 

Expert's Take

Nor surprisingly, the comments by experts and followers of England team, following the match, were full of praise for Malan. 

Former England cricketer and now, a commentator, Ebony Rainford-Brent had the same reaction to the left-hander's batting. 

"Only just noticed Malan’s T20 international strike rate is 144! Same as Buttler. Impressive!," she noted. 

How good Malan is was also explained succintly by commentator Daniel Norcross. 

"Babar Azam is the fastest man to 1000 runs in T20I (26 innings). Kohli second fastest (27). Dawid Malan has scored 855 runs in 19 innings at an average of 53.44. Only two men average over 50 after 20 innings (Azam and Kohli). If Malan plays one more match he will be the third."

Cricket author and analyst Freddie Wilde summed up the current position of Malan in the England team. 

"There are still actually a fair few T20Is before the World Cup—& time for players to fall in & out of form—but it's increasingly hard to imagine an England team at the World Cup without Dawid Malan in it. Coming from the outside he's made himself close to undroppable."

Always upbeat about England's prospects, former captain Michael Vaughan chipped in with his comment. 

"Whoever beats England will win the T20 World Cup next year ... #JustSaying" Only time will tell whether this is overconfidence or not. 


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