South Africa have moved ahead in the seven-match blind cricket series being staged in Pretoria after beating England by five wickets in the third match at 176/5, with five balls remaining. The result gives the hosts a 2-1 advantage and keeps the contest finely balanced ahead of the fourth fixture.
The decisive contribution came from Lwande Bhidla, who finished unbeaten on 53 from 32 deliveries. It was his third successive half-century in the series, following scores of 51 from 33 balls and 93 from 63 in the opening two matches. His consistency has provided South Africa with momentum as the teams move through a compact schedule across Pretoria venues.
“Lwande Bhidla scored his third consecutive half-century to guide South Africa to victory.”
South Africa recover after early wickets
England were restricted to 175/6 after captain David Howells won the toss and chose to bat. Matt Page supplied the main resistance, making 69 from 52 balls and striking five boundaries. England also handed international debuts to Mike Shea and Olly Josephs in the match.
South Africa’s chase did not begin smoothly. England reduced the home side to 68/3 after 8.4 overs, creating an opening in a match where the target remained within reach but pressure was building. The Bhidla brothers, Lwande and Buhle, then joined forces in the middle. Their partnership became an important part of the chase, following the 195-run stand they produced in the second match.
Buhle Bhidla was eventually dismissed at 121/4 after Chris Styles took advantage of a drag-on to the stumps following a forceful shot. The wicket was Styles’s first in international cricket, but it did not shift the match back towards England. Lwande remained at the crease and guided South Africa to the target, scoring the winning run from the first ball of the final over.
Pretoria remains central to the series
For local followers, the result adds significance to a programme that is continuing at venues in and around the capital. The fourth match is scheduled for Saturday, 14 November, at Tshwane University of Technology, with play set to begin at 8.30am GMT. The series will return to the same venue for the sixth match on 17 November, while the fifth and seventh games are listed for Christian Brothers College, Old Boys Memorial Club.
| Match | Result or venue | Date |
|---|---|---|
| First | England won by six wickets | 10 November |
| Second | South Africa won by 20 runs | 11 November |
| Third | South Africa won by five wickets | 13 November |
| Fourth | Tshwane University of Technology | 14 November |
The remaining fixtures give both teams limited time between matches, making the Pretoria leg a test of sustained performance as well as individual form. South Africa’s batting has now produced two victories in succession after England won the opener. The home side will therefore enter the next match with a narrow lead, while England need a response to prevent the series advantage from widening.
What comes next
The fourth game will be available through a live stream on Cricket South Africa’s YouTube channel. The final three matches are scheduled for 16, 17 and 19 November, alternating between Christian Brothers College, Old Boys Memorial Club and Tshwane University of Technology.
- Series position: South Africa lead England 2-1.
- Third-match result: South Africa 176/5 beat England 175/6 by five wickets.
- Next Pretoria fixture: Tshwane University of Technology on 14 November at 8.30am GMT.
With four matches still to play, the series remains open. But after the latest Pretoria victory, South Africa have the first opportunity to strengthen their position, while Bhidla’s run of three consecutive half-centuries gives the hosts a clear source of confidence at the top of the order.
