Getty Images witnessed an enthralling second One Day International (ODI) between England and South Africa in Durban. BBC Sport Journalist Ffion Wynne was on the ground to capture all the drama. The match took place on 8 December 2024, 12:30 GMT, with updates coming in 4 hours ago.

England's Series-Leveling Victory

England emerged victorious with a clinical six-wicket win, leveling the one-day international series. After South Africa's chaotic middle-order collapse, the Proteas, who were in control at 72-2 after 16 overs, lost five wickets for just four runs in 12 balls. England spinner Charlie Dean took a hat-trick across two overs, finishing with 4-45 as the hosts were bowled out for 135 in 31.3 overs. Fellow spinners Sophie Ecclestone and seamer Lauren Filer took three wickets each. Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier added 69 for the first wicket in England's reply, with Danni Wyatt-Hodge's unbeaten 25 steering them to victory in the 24th over.

The Drama Before South Africa's Innings

Before South Africa's innings, there was a patient stand of 58 between Annerie Dercksen and captain Laura Wolvaardt. Filer's eye-catching opening burst saw the Proteas reduced to 14-2 inside the first four overs. The dismissal of Dercksen triggered the collapse as she fell to Dean for 29 in the 17th over. Star all-rounder Marizanne Kapp then uncharacteristically chipped to mid-off for a duck three balls later. Ecclestone claimed the wicket of Laura Wolvaardt for 35 in the following over, and Dean completed her hat-trick with Nadine de Klerk caught at slip and Sinalo Jafta pinned lbw, leaving South Africa's innings in tatters on 76-7. Chloe Tryon's counter-attacking 45 rescued the Proteas but their bowlers struggled to build pressure.

Fiery Filer's Impact

After a disappointing series opener when England were bowled out for 186 in Kimberley, their bowlers delivered in ruthless fashion. Filer was electric, making the most of the new ball with a hostile opening four-over spell. Opener Tazmin Brits drove her first ball for four but Filer immediately corrected herself and knocked middle stump out. She gave number three Sune Luus a tough short-ball examination, forcing her to duck and eventually nailing her plan with a fuller delivery. From there, captain Wolvaardt and Dercksen regrouped and blunted England's attack. But chaos followed as Dean turned the game on its head. Dercksen's soft dismissal kickstarted the collapse, and Kapp's bizarre shot rocked the lineup. Filer returned and bowled Nonkululeko Mlaba with a fierce yorker, finishing with 3-32.

Bouchier & Beaumont's Role

The importance of Filer's extra pace was evident in the second innings as South Africa's seamers couldn't extract any life from the pitch. Bouchier, who missed the opening match with a neck injury, played fluently for her 33 from 36 balls as South Africa offered her too much width. As early wickets were their only route to victory, the hosts had to be attacking but were unsuccessful. Bouchier was caught at mid-wicket in the 12th over, and Beaumont fell for 34 from 52 balls four overs later. Knight fell three balls later for seven, but the experience of Wyatt-Hodge and Nat Sciver-Brunt ensured England didn't collapse with an unflustered stand of 47.

Reactions from the Players

England captain Heather Knight said, "After the other day we were a little disappointed, but the bowlers set the tone. Lauren Filer is exciting to field at first slip." South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt said, "A tough day out, we just didn't have enough runs on the board. It's always tough batting first in Durban." Player of the match Charlie Dean said, "I didn't even realise I had a hat-trick so it was great to find that out afterwards! I am pleased with my game at the moment and becoming more consistent."