LIZELLE LEE top-scored in the match but it was not enough as the Momentum Proteas slipped to a five-wicket loss in the third and decisive One-Day International (ODI) against England at Bidvest Wanderers Stadium on Sunday, February 13.
The right-hander, who struck a match-winning 69 in the previous game to square the series, clubbed 74 (77 balls, 11 fours, 1 six) as the hosts posted 196/9 in Johannesburg.
The South Africans, fresh from a record chase of 263 on Friday February 12 at Centurion for their first ever ODI win over England, came into the game full of confidence.
But after losing the toss and being asked to bat first, they were pegged back to 85/6 just after the midway point of the innings.
But Lee and Sune Luus (20) added 80 together for the seventh wicket to lead the recovery. But both then fell in quick succession as the home side lost its way at the death.
Trisha Chetty ended as the second highest scorer with 31, while Anya Shrubsole’s 3/32 proved critical.
England then raced away to 29 in the first four overs, before two wickets for Chloe Tryon (2/28) and another for Shabnim Ismail, who bagged 2/35, pulled SA right back in the contest.
England ended the first 10 overs on 40/3, but its skipper Charlotte Edwards (29) put on 53 with Player of the Match Heather Knight for the fourth wicket to change the tide.
And their top-scorer Knight, who made 67 not out (100 balls, 6 fours), and Georgia Elwiss (61 off 67) added 97 together to help their side clinch the three-match series with a 2-1 scoreline.
The two sides begin their three-game Twenty20 International series on Thursday, February 18.
