Live Match 2nd ODI: South Africa v England at Durban, Feb 7, 2020 Live Score, England tour of South Africa

7.01pm: Match abandoned, they’ve finally given up the ghost in Durban, a venue that has had a right old soaking this summer (sic)… All of which means South Africa maintain their 1-0 lead in the series, with one game to play in Johannesburg. Quinny de Kock is going to be unbeaten in his first series as captain! Anyway, thanks for sticking around, we’ll be back for more on Sunday. Bye!

6.50pm: The cut-off is *drum roll* 7.22pm for a 20-over thrash (splash?). But it looks miserable around Kingsmead once again, with the crowd increasingly thin and a line of umbrellas heading for the exits

Here’s Edward Bowden: “I think everyone should have heeded your commentary this morning – ‘On a scale of 1 to 10, what are chances of play today? I wouldn’t like to put a number on it, but the forecast looks something like this: it was raining earlier, it’s raining now, and it’s going to rain later.’ – and gone home and put their feet up.” Roller knew (of course he did)

“South Africa will take this, more than happily,” declares Nelson. “Their chances of winning a shortened match were little to non-existent and now they can’t lose the series.”

6.39pm: Raining heavily again! Gah… Now the groundstaff are going to get their way, deploying the full range of covers as the drizzle returns to blight this schmozzle. Not great news, obviously, for the prospects of a result here

“How Duckworth-Lewis works is just a guy in a room with some dice, adding some (or removing some?) when a wicket is lost, he does some creative multiplication… and a score is reached.” Ssshhh, George, don’t spoil the magic

“@ Commentator; ‘Seems like the rain has swept through for now…’ You trying to make fun of us non-TV watchers?? That was like a minute ago and then now it’s raining?” I think I was actually paraphrasing what the TV comms were saying, rssampat. Blame it on the weatherman

6.37pm: Off comes the cover, they’re going to get straight back underway! Just a brief, slightly bizarre delay this time

England don’t look to convinced by that decision (as they weren’t by the original not out), and they are taking their time walking off the field. Umpires are still out there, just one cover on the 22-yard strip for now. The groundstaff were in the process of bringing on more protection for the square, but they’ve been told to stand down

Fair point, from Jurie Schoeman: “Malcolm – maybe you should read up on how Duckworth Lewis works… That’s exactly what the method takes into account. The SA score will be increased”

Chris Jordan on for Curran. Seems like the rain has swept through for now

Nine runs off the over, but SA still struggling to lift the rate, approaching the halfway point of the innings

Here’s Malcolm: “This is massively in favor of England. The chances of SA winning here are miniscule. England basically have an 8 or 9 over head start, because SA were playing normally for the first few overs. England can start from scratch and completely blast the match and the run rate to oblivion.”

Just drizzling, I think, the umpires are keeping them out (for now)

“The 156-ball shootout,” chuckles phillip martin. “The ECB may catch on…. ”

And there’s rain in the air again…

Another change, Woakes off and Matt Parkinson into the attack

Tom Curran replaces Root

“THIS IS USELESS. There isn’t a 26 Over World Cup scheduled in the next 5 years. What’s the point!” Seems Drew isn’t entirely happy with proceedings here…

Okay, three balls left in Chris Woakes’ fourth over… Pull that windcheater close, because we are doing this! Allahudien Paleker signals to show that the fielding restrictions are now off

6.05pm: Play to resume at 6.15pm! Yoinks! We’re now looking at a 26-over game (again presuming the weather holds off). Decisive action from the umpires and this ODI is still very much ON!!! As for the playing conditions now, the Powerplays will be 5-16-5; one bowler can bowl six overs, the others five.

“I was waiting for you to be back soon Alan, now you see we will see some action soon.” Well, Rahul Sargam, it does seem as if I’m luckier than young Master Roller. All about having a Postive Mental Attitude

6pm: Ahoy there. To be honest, I’m switching to my non-turning offbreaks, here… But it’s just about inspection time in Durban. Fingers on buzzers

Some big off-field developments coming out of South Africa today: SACA has withdrawn legal action against CSA ahead of a planned domestic structure review. Firdose Moonda has the full story here. I’m off for a cup of coffee, so here’s Alan Gardner for another spell off his long run.

5.46pm: The match officials are out in the middle… Aleem Dar is having a good old look at his watch and making a suggestion or two to someone through his walkie-talkie. It sounds and looks as though the outfield is soaking wet, so I wouldn’t be too optimistic, but maybe there’s time for a nice surprise…

Update: Inspection at 6.00pm (local time)

“If cricket was only played when it was useful….” muses Drew, “I’d get a lot more work done”

“I think we play sport because we like it not because it is useful,” suggests Mark. “I would much rather watch an ODI than a T20. Teams can train for the World Cup. Doesn’t mean all their games have to be practice for it.”

Seriously though, why does the white-ball leg entail three ODIs and three T20Is, given there are back-to-back T20 World Cups coming up? Surely it would make much more sense to have five or even six T20Is, which might actually be vaguely useful? Answers on a postcard.

“Matt ever since you are here not even single ball has been bowled and match is not started at all,” whines Rahul Sargam. “Please bring back Alan so we can witness some action out there, no offence buddy.” He’s busy. I’m going to stay on for as long as possible and then hand over just at the right time to allow for a 20-over game, which is what we ought to have had all along…

5.24pm: Hanrik: “Is it still raining at Kingsmead??” Not heavily, and the groundstaff are back out there… but don’t get your hopes up!

Rhys: “Given the way England over the last 12 months treated Foakes, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Roy (why was he asked to open), and Pope (in 2018), one could make a convincing argument for an anti-Surrey agenda there…” What?! That’s the most nonsensical comment I’ve seen all day. Next!

“I enjoyed that article about Lumb – suggested he might become a double WC winner in 2015 (after the T20 WC),” chuckles Saoirse. “Oh the English optimism is marvellous, and even better in hindsight” That’s George for you…

James: “One of the more remarkable inclusions on that 4 innings list is Wayne Daniel with an average of 49. More noted for terrorising the opposition batting.” Yes, his high score of 16 not out probably tells you that a sample size of four is completely meaningless!

MikeB: “Actually, Bavuma will have to score at least 12 more runs (or at least 103 if he gets out), because he has to pass Trish Dawson‘s average of 91″ Yep, should have clarified Men’s ODIs. Apologies to all, especially to Bjorn Fortuin’s family.

Laura: “What’s the latest time that play needs to resume by to avoid the match being called off?” I believe 6.30pm (SA time) was the latest a 20-over match could start so… I’d wager around 7.00pm. Still looks pretty damp for the time being, though.

Richard (a different one): “Those ODI average stats prove what I always knew – Ryan ten Doeschate is better than Virat Kohli. Never in doubt.” This was his take on that matter…

Richard Demarch: “Two names on that list of averages jump out at me – Michael Lumb (World T20 winner) and Ben Foakes.” Lumb had a very weird ODI career, with a ton on debut at 34 and only two more appearances after that. And Foakes’ name is on everyone’s lips at the moment – England will name their Test squad to travel to Sri Lanka next week, and he’s got to be in with a good chance of travelling.

Dhee: “Is Bavuma the batsman with highest batting average for any player who played at least one ODI?” Err, no. But if he remains not out today (or scores another 73 runs) then he’ll be top among those with four or more innings.

By the way, for anyone following this playing ESPN’s Fantasy Rugby game, you have just under 24 hours to get your teams in ahead of Gameweek 2. I’m sitting in a respectable 7th in the 28-team office league, with Biggar, Joseph and Vincent coming into my XV this week…

Drew: “MORE WORLD XI MATCHES PLEASE” Those games were pretty rubbish in 2005… but some of our senior writers mused about a Fantasy XI that would stand a chance away against India last year.

4.47pm: Aaaaaaand the covers are back on. D’oh!

4.45pm: There will be an inspection in 10 minutes’ time… hold onto your hats!

James: “Looking at that Rickleton knock, a name struck me: Thando Ntini, son of Makhaya, was bowling for the opposition. Good to see.” Good spot – he took 4 for 36 last week, and there was some good footage of him being interviewed alongside his old man in the aftermath.

“Wow Aaron Finch had that much clout? And they say BCCI and Indian players get all the power in cricket…” muses Ajay. “On a serious note, that shot was Hussey for Australia vs Ntini for World XI 3rd ODI 2005. Just watched that video, and Hussey was outta his mind after the dead ball signal, Murali laughing his head off and a glorious generation in one frame.” Adam Gilchrist’s bemused expression and the crowd’s boos say it all!

4.33pm: The covers are largely back off now, and the umpires are inspecting again. Vaguely promising signs, but there’s more rain in the forecast… “Almost certainly set to hose it down again soon,” reports PA’s David Charlesworth via Twitter.

Chris Trenchard: “Anyone see the 150 Ryan Rickelton just posted in the One-Day cup for the Lions? With Markram back soon too, the ODI top order seems to have some depth..” Good boshing….

Ajay Dhanak: “Regarding that “ball hitting roof thing” I clearly remember Michael Hussey (Who else but Mr Cricket) hit a huge shot that was surely going for a six outta the ground but hit the roof and fell back, the ball was counted as dead ball. So no, not willing to stand corrected unless a radical rule change.” You’re correct about the fact Hussey did that – in an ODI in around 2005, I think – but there was a rule change after Aaron Finch was denied a certain six in a BBL game in 2012.

4.18pm Looks like it’s hosing it down in Benoni at the U-19 World Cup…

“Covers will be back on in the next half an hour, I don’t know why they are bothering” You’re a bit doom and gloom today, aren’t you Stuart? Anyway, it looks like the rain has largely stopped and the clean-up operation is continuing. I’ll let you know anything more concrete than that as and when I can.

A couple of bits of news regarding the fitness of two England seamers today, in case you missed them: James Anderson is pushing for selection ahead of March’s tour to Sri Lanka; and Rajasthan Royals’ new coach Andrew McDonald is holding out hope that Jofra Archer will be fit to play some part in the IPL.

On that roof question… here’s the relevant clause from the 2019-20 BBL playing conditions: “If the ball having been struck by the bat hits any part of the stadium roof structure, retractable or fixed, a boundary six will be scored.”

4.08pm: The groundstaff are out there, starting to peel a layer of covers off…

Doosra: “Is there a “local rule” at the Docklands stadium for a situation where a ball hits the roof and is caught by a fielder? Perhaps it should be that the fielder can only catch it one-handed??” I think it’s given as a six if you hit the roof… but willing to stand corrected if any Renegades die-hards disagree.

4.00pm: Cheers for that intro, “Weird Al” Gardnovic. I’m going to pass you onto my friend Roosevelt E. Roosevelt for a quick weather update.

3.50pm: Never mind load-shedding, it appears to be shedding down again, and we’re in for another lengthy delay. Sadly there’s no better news to pass on, so I’m going to take this opportunity to go and find a nose bag. The next voice you’ll hear will be that of Matt “Rock’n” Roller. Ta ra

3.35pm: Euuurgh, looking increasingly grim in Durban right now. The rain is settling in like an unwanted visitor, gleefully accepting a begrudging offer of tea…

“Why’s Mark Wood not playing? Wouldn’t mind him in place of Sam Curran or Jordan.” He’s not in the squad, Rose, rested after his Test exploits (and will be back for the T20Is)

“Do you ever think cricket will be played in an indoor venue? Either through a basic retractable roof, an indoor arena, etc.” It’s been done, Brendan, with the roof closed at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne. Can’t see it catching on, though

3.27pm: More covers being dragged on by the groundstaff. And even if we do get some more play this afternoon, Shaun Pollock, the king of Kingsmead, reckons it could be curtains come 6pm, given the forecast

“Asking Shaun Pollock about the weather at Kingsmead is an interesting one given his past… ” Touché, Eric Blair

3.20pm: Well, after the beginnings of a decent start for SA, things have come over all “meh” again. De Kock’s dismissal will keep England warm during the rain delay, and they won’t mind the prospect of losing further overs too much, either. Sit tight, folks

“I like root vegetables, they give you runs and they give you wickets,” hoots Shaun. “Wholesome!” It was certainly worth dangling the carrot in front of de Kock…

Meanwhile, here’s Ali with a Serious Point: “I don’t want to slag off Willey but in the last two years he’s only taken 17 ODI wickets @ 40. Not saying he isn’t perhaps better than what’s out there today but I can understand why England have seemingly moved on”

Oh dear, but that’s the last of the action for now, as the rain returns and the umpires take everyone off – looks like this could be another heavy shower, as the full covers are quickly rushed on to the square