Show only key events Please enable JavaScript to use this feature 42nd over: England 231-6 (Root 76, Curran 7) There has been an unusual amount of sliding and broken shots in this innings, suggesting the pitch is on the tough side. An increasingly frustrated Root charges Shamsi and edges it past short third man for a couple. Root comes down the track again next ball, handcuffing it to midwicket for four. He has 76 off 68 balls, which is an admirable effort because his innings has been tough at times. 41st over: England 219-6 (Root 65, Curran 6) In England’s balcony, Ben Stokes looks utterly despondent. He doesn’t even have time to write his scripts all the time. “I was wondering if Joe Root and Sam Curran had ever batted together in an ODI before,” writes Tim de Lisle. “The answer is yes, once, also at Chester-le-Street, just last year, and they won the race… without any pressure.” 40th over: England 215-6 (Root 63, Curran 4) Root smacks Shamsi’s final delivery down the ground for a six. It’s another great shot in an impressively resourceful innings of 63 from 61 balls, but it certainly won’t be enough: England need 119 from 60 balls 39th over: England 207-6 (Root 56, Curran 3) Root is one of the best problem-solvers in the world, but I think this will surpass even him. For whatever reason, none of England’s players were really fluent in this innings. 38th over: England 200-6 (Root 52, Curran 0) It was very good captaincy from Keshav Maharaj, who brought midwicket through the boundary to tempt Moeen into a slog-sweep.

WIRELESS! England 199-6 (Ali c Pretorious b Shamsi 3)

Moeen Ali sweeps Shamsi miles in the air and Pretorious takes an easy catch at midwicket. Running out of partners: Joe Root waits for new batsman to arrive after Moeen Ali’s dismissal Picture: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images Updated at 20.34 BST 37th over: England 196-5 (Root 50, Ali 2) Moeen Ali is the new fighter. England need 138 off 78 balls.

WIRELESS! England 194-5 (Livingstone b Ngidi 10)

England slide towards defeat. Liam Livingstone decided to target new bowler Ngidi, which is fair enough under the circumstances. But even though he hit one boundary down the ground, he soon dragged another long shot back to the stumps. Lungi Ngidi excited after taking the wicket of Liam Livingstone Photo: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images Updated at 20.24 BST 36th over: England 190-4 (Root 50, Livingstone 6) Root’s reverse sweeps Shamsi for a single to reach a run-a-ball half-century. A typical day at the office for Root, whose ODI average of 51 is second only to Jonathan Trott among England batsmen (min: 20 innings). England’s Joe Root celebrates after reaching his half-century Picture: Gareth Copley/ECB/Getty Images Updated 20.08 BST 35th over: England 183-4 (Root 46, Livingstone 4) Root takes his new favorite shot, reverse-ramp to Pretorius over short third man for four. I remember a time when a reverse ramp shot warranted an exclamation point or three. not anymore. Root’s dot percentage is higher than usual, but he still comes close to running a ball. He has 46 from 47, Livingstone 4 from 8. 34th over: England 174-4 (Root 38, Livingstone 3) Livingstone chips Shamsi not far from midwicket. South Africa are slowly squeezing the life out of England, and the required percentage has reached 10 overs for the first time. 33rd over: England 168-4 (Root 34, Livingstone 1) A defeat today would be England’s third in four ODIs. It’s a reflection of how good he’s been that it would only be the second time it’s happened since January 2017. Before Morgan it happened all the time. Dwaine Pretorius, as a concussion replacement for Phehlukwayo, comes into the attack and rushes another pass out of bounds. England are running out of time, balls and hope. 32nd over: England 164-4 (Root 31, Livingstone 0) This was a slightly unlucky dismissal for Buttler, who looked good and had just crossed the boundary of the ground. Mother Cricket has it for him right now.

WIRELESS! England 164-4 (Buttler and b Shamsi 12)

A huge wicket for South Africa! Butler walked down the track to Samsi, who saw him coming and abruptly let her go. Buttler worked the ball onto the pad, from where it rolled back to a jubilant Samsi. Tabraiz Shamsi celebrates taking the wicket of England’s Jos Buttler Picture: Lee Smith/Action Images/Reuters Updated at 20.18 BST 31st over: England 156-3 (Root 30, Buttler 5) Captain Keshav Maharaj ends a terrific spell with figures of 10-1-42-1. He started the innings with a maiden, setting the tone for an innings in which South Africa have slowly drained hope from England. 30th over: England 153-3 (Root 29, Buttler 3) Root decided to follow Markram. He dances down the track again, this time to drop four back over the bowler’s head. “Hey Rob,” says Gary Naylor. “Having spent the day at The Oval, I’m now at Camden Roundhouse for the Jean Paul Gaultier Fashion Freak Show. The man himself is now dead to Everton model pro Peter Reid. I guess the burning question is – do any iconic figures from 20th century popular culture resemble cricketers? Vincent Van Gogh and Ben Stokes are a century too early.” Do Chris Tavare and Basil Fawlty count? I appreciate that Tavare isn’t quite a modern day cricketer, having retired in 1993, but my ever-shrinking brain can’t think of anyone else. 29th over: England 145-3 (Root 23, Buttler 1) There is no way England will win this game. The playing field is getting steadily more uncomfortable and the pace required is approaching nine over one. South Africa have won a major toss but have also outplayed England. 28th over: England 142-3 (Root 21, Buttler 0) Earlier in the over Root, frustrated by all the dot balls, drove Markram for an impatient but elegant straight six. Stokes, meanwhile, ends his ODI career with 2924 runs at an average of 38.98 and a strike rate of 95. His bowling record was less impressive: 72 wickets at 42.39 at an economy rate of 6, 05. Updated at 19.38 BST

WIRELESS! England 142-3 (Stokes LBW b Markram 5)

Ben Stokes’ ODI career is over. He misses a reverse sweep and is trapped LBW by Markram. England have just one review and Stokes, selfless as the last, ignores Root*’s suggestion that he should use it. It’s the right decision: he was heavy.

  • I think it happened anyway. Either way, it was typical of Stokes not to use criticism, no matter how tempting. Stokes out, Jos Buttler, in Photo: Lee Smith/Action Images/Reuters Updated at 19.39 BST 27th over: England 134-2 (Root 14, Stokes 4) Another no-bounds over, this time from Maharaj. England need 200 from 138 balls. With that, good luck. 26th over: England 131-2 (Root 13, Stokes 2) The consensus in the commentary box is that you need 10-20 balls to get used to the pace of this pitch. This is far from ideal for England, especially with the requirement to score above 8.5 per over. ODIs can change quickly, but right now South Africa are on top. 25th over: England 127-2 (Root 11, Stokes 1) Andile Phehlukwayo is concussed and replaced by Dwaine Pretorius, who will be allowed to bowl. Stokes drives his first ball away from Maharaj for a single. But it’s another quiet over, and it looks like this game is slipping away from England: 207 needed from 150 balls. 24th over: England 125-2 (Root 10, Stokes 0) There is a standing ovation – not for Bairstow but for the new batter, Ben Stokes. Updated at 19.19 BST

WIRELESS! England 125-2 (Bairstow LBW b Markram 63)

Aidan Markram strikes in his first over! Bairstow missed a sweep on a typical offbreak and was hit on the kneeroll in front of off and centre. He reviewed the decision, of course he did, but replays showed it was successful. England lose a review and Bairstow takes a fine 63 off 71 balls. The crowd applauds Ben Stokes as he comes out to bat Photo: Matt West/REX/Shutterstock Updated at 7.30pm BST 23rd over: England 120-1 (Bairstow 63, Root 5) Bairstow lifts Maharaj over midwicket for four, a lovely stroke. But he is struggling with cramp, and there is a break in play at the end of the over so he can receive treatment. 22nd over: England 112-1 (Bairstow 56, Root 5) Bairstow takes a hook from Nortje but this time falls short to Ngidi. Nortje is bowling at a fast pace, with every delivery in this over 90mph, and there is only one run from it. The required rate is eight per over. 21st over: England 111-1 (Bairstow 55, Root 5) Mark Butcher, commentating on Sky, suggests Ngidi may need a trip to Barnard Castle to test his eyesight. Five runs from Maharaj’s last over, meaning he and Shamsi (the spinners) have combined figures of 8-1-32-1. It is the key in this game. 20th over: England 106-1 (Bairstow 52, ​​Root 2) Bairstow is dropped by Ngidi! He was beaten for pace by Nortje and hit high in the air to long leg where Ngidi bowled a simple two-handed chance. This is the second time Bairstow has been dismissed in this innings. Miller’s was a difficult catch over his head in the middle of the road. Ngidi’s was not. 19th over: England 102-1 (Bairstow 50, Root 0) Earlier in the over, Bairstow worked Maharaj for a single to reach a subdued half-century off 53 balls. Imagine if, in 1993, you tried to use the phrase “A restrained half-century from 53 balls” in polite society. You would have exited the Long Room! Updated at 18.58 BST

WIRELESS! England 102-1 (Roy c Miller b Maharaj 44)

Jason Roy is gone! The ball after Maharaj reverse sweeps sweetly for four, driven inside off and well taken by Miller, running away. It was a soft dismissal, after a lot of hard work, and Roy clutched his bat in frustration. He goes for a useful one if he toils 44 off 62 balls. Outside: Jason Roy walks after losing his case. Photo: Lee Smith/Action…