JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Reuters) – A swashbuckling half-century by Chris Morris hauled South Africa back from the brink of defeat, as they scraped past England by one wicket yesterday to level the one-day series at 2-2 with one match left.Morris, going in to bat at number eight, bludgeoned his way to 62 off 38 balls to help South Africa reach their target of 263 with 16 deliveries to spare after Joe Root had made his second successive century for the tourists.
Leg-spinner Adil Rashed clean-bowled Morris with a googly with the scores level but number 11 Imran Tahir struck the next ball for four to the relief of a capacity crowd of 22 000.
However, it could have been a different story for South Africa had Morris not been dropped by Rashid when he was on 14.
Earlier, Root made 109 as England were bowled out for 262 in 47.5 overs.
The Yorkshireman, who struck an ODI-best 125 in a losing cause in Pretoria on Tuesday, saved Eoin Morgan’s side after they had slumped to 108 for six.
Opener Alex Hales contributed 50 but it was a 95-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Root and Chris Woakes (33) that helped England, who won the Test series 2-1, post a defendable tally.
Rashid also chipped in with a quick-fire 39 off 26 balls while paceman Kagiso Rabada took the last three wickets to finish with four for 45.
Hashim Amla was clean-bowled for a duck by the recalled Stuart Broad in South Africa’s first over and the home team looked in trouble when captain AB de Villiers was run-out for 36 by the quick-thinking Chris Woakes.
South Africa were then left teetering on the brink on 210 for eight before Morris came to their rescue.
The last game of the series is in Cape Town tomorrow.