ENG VS RSA - 2nd ODI, South Africa tour of England, 2017

Ben Stokes was dropped four times by an atypically clumsy South African side today, and trust you me, when Stokes scores, England will find a way around. Mark Wood stood up today and parried the hosts home to a make-believe series win. A final ODI awaits South Africa, who will want to get things right, but if you ask me, history suggests that an imperfect Protea side has greater claims to an ICC Trophy. Well, for now, this is Pratyush Sinha taking leave on behalf of Pradeep, Abhishek Chaudhary and Sriram. See you at the third ODI, ta-ta!

Ben Stokes - Man of the Match: "It shows what a bit of pace on the ball can do (talking about Wood). You want to be in these situations (bowling the last over), and to defend 7 with Miller and Morris out there was brilliant. It's just the bowling that is affected by the knee. Hopefully it will be okay in a couple of days. It's always nice hitting the ball well with good form behind you. Jos hit the ball well too. I hope to continue this form in the Champions Trophy."

Morgan - captain, England: "You learn a lot more from these games. The game got away from us a lot more (in this game). The tournament will be pretty tight, so these games are good for us. This helps us prepare well. We are always trying to improve. At the end, Wood held the yorkers well. I think today summarizes our team. The batting conditions in the morning were difficult. And Stokes hitting form is good news for us."

De Villiers - captain, South Africa: "I think the boys played very well. It's unfortunate but proud of the way we fought. We lost a couple of wickets at the bad time, else it could have been a lot easier. The guys played with a lot of freedom. The fielding was a little bit costly. It was faulty thinking, if anything, but we had a good chase and unfortunately didn't cross the line. Behardien got stuck and could not get going. The trick is to minimize the damage in the last few overs and we didn't do that; that was the damage. Hopefully we can win the last game and take the confidence into CT"

06:50pm local: Now, now, South Africa have bottled a chase here, not for the first time since you've been alive, I'd assert. This was another flat pitch on offer, another 300-plus chase beckoned the visitors and they had almost botched it, when de Kock fell two short of his century in the 36th over, threatening a redux of the last game. But Miller took over brilliantly, racking up a fifty, and stayed not out on 71, only to see his team manufacture a defeat out of nowhere. 20 were needed off the last two, Jake Ball conceded 10 runs off the first two balls of the penultimate over. And it looked over, right then, until Wood summoned the death bowling spirits, mixed his lenghts and pace, choked runs in the final over and took England home. What a brilliant game of cricket. What a game.

Mark Wood to Chris Morris, 1 run, dramatic way to seal the series. England win by 2 runs. South Africa needed 7 off the last over and Mark Wood has defended it. More than defended it. 4 needed off the last ball, and he bowls a slower ball. It was anybody's guess. Chris Morris didn't have the nerves to wait. Swung hard, with adrenaline taking over. Swings, is early and gives it away. South Africa fall a top-edge short!

Mark Wood to Chris Morris, no run, why is that not a wide? A short ball past the left shoulder, Chris Morris misses his pull and Buttler appeals. And then some more. Didn't hit anything, the ball was leg-stumpish and the angle from over the wicket taking it further down. Buttler-1, umpire Rob Bailey-0. He's missed a wide here, I think. 4 needed off the last ball

What do we have?

Mark Wood to Miller, 1 run, it's tense. And in a different way for the square leg umpire, who had to duck to evade this fierce pull from Miller. And that was taking umpire Chris Gaffaney's throat, had he not moved away just the right time. There was a fielder in the deep, who cuts the second run here. 4 needed off 2 now

Mark Wood to Miller, no run, brilliant. Miller backed away way too early and Mark Wood plundered the opportunity, banging the ball short and at the batsman. Too quick, good bounce and the ball is past Miller before he can think of a shot to play. 5 off 3 needed!

Some field changes here. More claps. A leg-side heavy field here South Africa need 5 runs

Mark Wood to Chris Morris, 1 run, just about hacks a single to fine leg. Short ball again, and Chris Morris waits before helping the pull behind. Not in control but who cares, he's on top of that

Slow, accelerating claps from the crowd. They have been good today

Mark Wood to Miller, 1 run, this is not a good start. A short ball angled down leg from round the wicket, and all it needed was a quick swivel. Miller manufactures one and gets the equation to 6 off 5 now

J Ball to Chris Morris, no run, full ball, can't get under it and swing it away. So it's either taken the pad or the inside edge here - not sure - but rebounds back towards the keeper. No run available here. 7 needed off the last over

J Ball to Miller, leg byes, 1 run, Oh dear, this doesn't even look close. An lbw review against Miller here. Swung across early to a slower delivery and deflected the ball off his thigh. On the back thigh but it's going way over the stumps, ball-tracking suggests, much like it looked to the naked eye. England lose the review and manage to pause the game for a minute, more importantly. 7 off 7 needed

England review..

J Ball to Chris Morris, 1 run, somehow pulls it away. Quite late to read the length firstly, then is chained in the crease and just about avoids getting hit on the helmet. 8 off 8 needed

J Ball to Miller, 1 run, rising short ball this time, aptly at the batsman but Miller is seeing them like a football. Gets on top of the ball and pulls it round the corner

J Ball to Miller, FOUR, gets the width and cuts through backward point. England's bowlers aren't sticking to the plans there. Width given and they pay