A resurgent Jofra Archer took six wickets to inspire England to a 59-run consolation victory over South Africa in the third One Day International.
Defending 347 after superb centuries against Dawid Malan and Jos Buttler, Archer won a decisive match 6-40 in his second match after 17 months out.
He played at a high pace and knocked batters off balance in a performance reminiscent of his first international season in 2019.
The 27-year-old had Rassie van der Dussen caught in his first spell and, with the Proteas well placed at 158-3, he came back to dismiss Aiden Markram and David Miller in back-to-back overs.
Heinrich Klaasen then threatened to take South Africa to a stunning victory with 80 balls from 62, but Archer ended his onslaught except to end the contest.
He then beat Wayne Parnell to clinch his first five-wicket shot and finished the match by knocking out Tabraiz Shamsi – the Proteas all for 287 in 43.1 overs.
The win ends England’s five-game losing streak in the format, but Archer’s return to form could prove far more important in a year when his country host Australia in the ashes and defend the Cup of the world to 50 victories that the leader has done so much. to help win four years ago.
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