South Africa level T20 series with victory over England in Cardiff

Jos Buttler’s hopes of landing a first series win since taking over as England’s white-ball captain will go all the way to the wire after a decisive turn from Rilee Rossouw saw South Africa square the T20 scoreline 1-1 with a 58-run win in Cardiff.

Buttler began his tenure by losing both formats to India and saw a 50-over decider against the Proteas washed out.

Victory in the first T20 in Bristol on Wednesday gave England the chance to wrap things up on Welsh soil but they could not match Rossouw’s match-winning 96 not out.

The former Kolpak player, who traded six years of international cricket for a stable gig with Hampshire, hit five sixes and 10 fours to guide the tourists to 207 for three.

Having scored 234 in the previous match, England knew they could fight fire with fire but they faltered to 149 all out.

The in-form Jonny Bairstow top-scored once again, but doing so with a score of 30 told its own story about a lethargic chase.

Buttler had sent South Africa in and saw an early hunch pay off when he handed the fourth over to Moeen Ali, who immediately persuaded Quinton de Kock to pick out mid-off.

But Reeza Hendricks and Rossouw refused to let that worry them as they tucked into a stand of 73 in 46 balls, assuming control with bursts of managed aggression.

They were 58 for one after the powerplay and ticked up to exactly 100 at the halfway point.

Hendricks made his second accomplished half-century in as many days, taking just 29 balls this time, while Rossouw served notice by launching the reliable Adil Rashid out of the ground and towards the River Taff.

There was a turning point when Chris Jordan thought he had Rossouw caught behind for 37, only for the third umpire to rule against Buttler’s take.

Richard Gleeson