England have avoided a one-day international series defeat to South Africa by winning the final fixture in Kimberley by 59 runs.
In the first two encounters, the added desire of South Africa, fuelled by needing three successive triumphs to boost their hopes of earning automatic qualification for the World Cup, proved decisive in overcoming the 20-over and 50-over world champions.
However, England's motivation to get back on track and the growing expectation on South Africa arguably combined to make the difference on Wednesday.
England somehow managed to prevail in a fixture where they lost the toss and were reduced to 14-3, significantly boosted by a 232-run fourth-wicket partnership between Dawid Malan and Jos Buttler.
Jofra Archer then proceeded to mark his return to international cricket with the best ODI figures of his career, recording 6-40 off 9.1 overs.
Lungi Ngidi had threatened to steal the show with the ball in the early stages of the game, taking the wickets of Jason Roy (1), Ben Duckett (0) and Harry Brook (6).
"That is POWERFUL from Dawid Malan" 💥
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) February 1, 2023
What a six! 👏 pic.twitter.com/5BUNxMgmkH
England were very much in a position where they could have folded, only for Malan and Buttler to rebuild with discipline before putting their feet on the accelerator to put England in a commanding position.
Their barrage of runs came off just 35 overs, Malan falling for 118 off 114 balls before Buttler combined with Moeen Ali (41) to take England to 313-5.
Buttler, the captain, was eventually dismissed for 131 off 127 deliveries, a knock which included seven sixes, and England made 346-7 off their 50 overs.
While South Africa were always in the run chase, they lost wickets at regular intervals, with innings from Temba Bavuma (35), Reeza Hendricks (52) and Aiden Markram (39) doing no more than keep the Proteas competitive.
A seventh-wicket partnership of 85 took South Africa to 278, left requiring 69 off 62 balls, but Heinrich Klaasen's departure for 80 took the momentum out of their innings.
Archer returned to the action to conclude the match, South Africa's tail-enders failing to deal with his pace much like those from third and lower in the batting order, and England's future remains bright if they can keep the fast bowler free from injury during 2023.
Darren Plant
