ENGLAND and South Africa have drawn their one-day international series after the third and final match was rained off.
South Africa claimed a 62-run victory on Tuesday, before England responded with a comprehensive 118-run win three days later.
The third and final ODI was rained off due to rain
The final match was due to take place at Headingley on Sunday, but the bad weather has seen it be called off.
South Africa had batted for 27.2 overs and were on 159/2 when the rain brought the match to a halt following two lengthy delays.
It was officially abandoned at 4.05pm BST on Sunday afternoon.
England will now embark on a three-match T20 series against South Africa which starts at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol on Wednesday.
Their next ODI series takes place against Australia in November – following the T20 World Cup.
England’s drawn series against South Africa comes after Ben Stokes announced his retirement from the format after the first match.
Announcing the news earlier this week, he said: “I will play my last game for England in ODI cricket on Tuesday in Durham. I have decided to retire from this format. This has been an incredibly tough decision to make.
“I have loved every minute of playing with my mates for England. We have had an incredible journey on the way.
“As hard as a decision as this was to come to, it’s not as hard dealing with the fact I can’t give my team-mates 100 per cent of myself in this format anymore.
“The England shirt deserves nothing less from anyone who wears it. Three formats are just unsustainable for me now.
“Not only do I feel that my body is letting me down because of the schedule and what is expected of us, but I also feel that I am taking the place of another player who can give Jos [Buttler] and the rest of the team their all.
“It’s time for someone else to progress as a cricketer and make incredible memories like I have over the past 11 years.
“I will give everything I have to Test cricket, and now, with this decision, I feel I can also give my total commitment to the T20 format.
“I would like to wish Jos Buttler, Matthew Mott, the players and the support staff every success going forward.
“We have made great strides in white-ball cricket over the past seven years, and the future looks bright.
“I have loved all 104 games I have played so far, I’ve got one more, and it feels amazing to be playing my last game at my home ground in Durham.
“As always, the England fans have always been there for me and will continue to be there. You’re the best fans in the world.
“I hope we can win on Tuesday and set the series up nicely against South Africa.”
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/cricket/board-of-cricket-scotland-resigns-with-immediate-effect-after-devastating-report-slams-institutional-racism/
