After a crushing 9 wicket win against South Africa in the first T20 at Southampton, the action moved to Taunton for the 2nd T20I. Africa needed to win to stay alive in the series. The 40s from AB de Villiers and JJ Smuts and a 21 ball 32 run cameo from Farhaan Behardien ensured that South Africa got a competitive 174 runs on the board.
In response, England after losing Sam Billings early was cruising after a big partnership between Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow. The duo put on 110 runs in 70 Balls for the second wicket. Just as it was looking like they would finish the game South Africa were given a little window of an opportunity.
In the 16th over Liam Livingston dabbed the ball towards point. Roy started running, only to be sent back by Livingstone. While turning back he changed his direction and came in the line of the ball. South Africans appealed for obstructing the field but initially, the umpire gave the ball as dead. Later he went upstairs.
In the replay, it was pretty evident that Roy had seen the ball and made a deliberate attempt to come in the line of the ball. He was given out by the third umpire obstructing the field thus becoming the first batsman in T20 history to do so.
England lost momentum after his dismissal and eventually fell short by 3 runs in a nail-biting match. The two teams meet at Cardiff on Sunday for the series decider.
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– by Atharva Apte
