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De Villiers stars as Proteas claim series win

Cape Town – Guided by a classy 101* from captain AB de Villiers, the Proteas have won the fifth one-day international at Newlands and along with it claimed a 3-2 series victory. 

As it happened: Proteas v England - 5th ODI at Newlands

De Villiers won the toss and asked England to bat in slightly overcast conditions. 

England’s lost regular wickets throughout their innings but opener Alex Hales stood firm, scoring 112 and ensuring England posted a competitive total of 236 all out, although the visitors did not make use of their full compliment of 50 overs. 

For the Proteas, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir and David Wiese picked up three wickets apiece. England however, will feel they gifted a few soft dismissals to the home attack.

The Proteas innings started slowly with both Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock having a good look at the bowling.

Reece Topley struck a double blow in the sixth over of the innings removing the in-form De Kock (4) after a review for a catch behind the wicket and then bowling Faf du Plessis (0) with his very next delivery.

Rilee Rossouw (4) soon followed, playing a loose drive a full Topley delivery only to be caught by Hales at cover.

Amla and De Villiers - playing in his 200th one-day international - then steadied the ship, putting on 125 for the fourth wicket before Amla (59), needlessly threw his wicket away, charging a wide delivery by Moeen Ali only to be smartly stumped by Jos Buttler.

Farhaan Behardien joined De Villiers and looked to be positive from the start.

He tried one shot too many however, and was caught by Stokes off Adil Rashid for 13 with the Proteas still needing 71 to win.

David Wiese was next in and he too was prepared to play his shots, starting with a flurry of boundaries off both English spinners before depositing Rashid straight down the ground for maximum twice in an over. 

Wiese and De Villiers continued to score freely, with the Proteas captain moving to his century off 94 balls with 11 fours and a six. 

Wiese (41*) hit the winning runs in the 44th over to secure victory. 

The Proteas become only the third side in history to secure a 3-2 series win after losing the opening two matches of a five match series.

De Villiers received the man of match award while Hales deservedly was named man of the series. 

Scores

England 236 all out in 45 overs

Hales 112

Rabada 3/34

Tahir 3/53

Proteas 237/5 after 44 overs

De Villiers 101*

Amla 59

Wiese 41*

Topley 3/41

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