South Africa won the second T20 International against England by nine wickets to win the series 2-0, thrashing the visitors at the Wanderers.

England lost early wickets, but a big partnership between Jos Buttler and Eoin Morgan made it look like England were going to post a score of over 200.

However, in the end overs, England lost seven wickets for fourteen runs. South Africa were set a total of 172 to win the match, and they did it in some style with Ab de Villiers and Hashim Amla smashing the ball all over the place to win with thirty-two balls to spare.

South African captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and chose to bowl first. It wasn't a surprise as usually at the Wanderers it is easy to chase with the small boundaries. England were hoping to end the tour on a high. 

South Africa kept an unchanged team from the team that won the first T20 while England made one change with David Willey being replaced by Sam Billings.

 England started their innings slowly

The England batsmen found it very difficult to start with, especially with the way Kagiso Rabada was bowling, as the South African fast bowler got the breakthrough in the third over bowling the dangerous Jason Roy for nine runs of fifteen balls.

Joe Root came in at three and got off to a flyer, putting on a fifty partnership off thirty balls with Alex Hales for the second wicket before he went for one to many big shots. Root fell for 34 runs off sixteen balls off the bowling of spinner Imran Tahir which was exactly what England needed after a slow start.

Eoin Morgan came in at number four looking to rebuild the innings but ran out his partner Hales straight away for sixteen when he called him for a second run but left him stranded. The back to back wickets were exactly what South Africa wanted. 

Buttler and Morgan put on 96 for the fourth wicket

Jos Buttler came in at number five and straight away looked to hit the ball out of the ground. Buttler started smashing sixes for fun and brought up his fifty off 27 balls. Buttler was finally out for 54 off 28 balls when he tried to hit Kyle Abbott for a boundary, but was caught by du Plessis. The wicket of Buttler brought to an end a fantastic 96 run partnership between Buttler and Morgan.

Buttler on his way to a half century (photo: Getty)
Buttler on his way to a half century (photo: Getty)

England lose seven wickets for fourteen runs

Ben Stokes came to the crease and first ball he smashed Abbott back down the ground, but the bowler got a fingertip to the ball to run out Morgan for 38 off 23 balls. Stokes then fell in the next over himself for one run when he was caught and bowled by Chris Morris in bizarre fashion. Moeen Ali came in and was out in the same over when he tried to hit Morris out of the ground, but was caught by JP Duminy.

England continued to lose wickets and we're finally all out for 171. England collapsed from 157-3 when Buttler got out, and would be really disappointed to make closer to 200. Kyle Abbott starred with the ball taking 3-26. South Africa needed 172 to take the series 2-0. 

De Villers and Amla get South Africa off to a blistering start

The South African batsmen came out with a real intent to try and finish the game as early as they could. Ab de Villers and Hashim Amla came out swinging and got the score to 88 without loss after six overs. England bowlers didn't really have an answer and de Villers was producing a magic innings.

Ab de Villers brought up his fifty off 21 deliveries which was a record in T20 cricket for South Africa which beats his previous record of twenty-three deliveries. The South African batsmen brought up the hundred after 6.5 overs as the England bowlers just kept being belted to the boundary. 

De Villiers innings ended on 71

England finally got a wicket in the ninth over when se Villers tried once again to smash Adil Rashid out of the ground, but only found Root on the boundary. De Villers though had done the damage, making 71 off 29 deliveries. 

Amla brought up his fifty in the eleventh over off 27 deliveries. Amla went quietly about his business while de Villers was smashing it at the other end. Amla once again showed why he is such a good player in all forms of the game.

Amla and du Plessis got South Africa home comfortably winning with 5.2 overs to spare. Amla finished the game 69 not out off 38 balls, and Du Plesis finished 22 off 21 balls. South Africa win the T20 series 2-0 after a convincing win.

South Africa and England will meet again in the World T20 on March 18th, and the losers will be looking to perform much better and try and avenge this series loss.

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