South Africa beat England by 58 runs in Second T20 and levelled the series

CARDIFF: The Proteas levelled the series with a 58-run victory against England in the second T20 International at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Thursday, Rilee Rossouw's career-high 96 and a significantly improved bowling effort gets victory to Proteas

The left-hander, who had been away from South Africa for six years, smashed 5 Sixes and 10 Fours in his unbeaten 55-ball knock, helping the tourists, who had been invited to bat first by the hosts, reach 207/3. Reeza Hendricks hit 53 off 32 balls for his second consecutive half-century at the top of the order (3 fours, 2 sixes).

Then, Tabraiz Shamsi led a strong bowling performance with 3/27, while Lungi Ngidi was outstanding in accumulating 2/11 in 2.4 overs.With 3/39, Andile Phehlukwayo effectively chipped away at the English team, who was all out for 149 in 16.4 overs. When the two teams square off in match three at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Sunday, the series will now come down to a finale.

In a match against the same opponents that took place just 24 hours prior, the Proteas lost by 41 runs despite giving up a staggering 234 runs and mostly forgettable fielding. But in Wales, they significantly improved and looked lot better right away.

Quinton de Kock (15), who had chosen to bat after losing the toss, and Hendricks put up 39 runs in just four overs before the latter and Rossouw scored 73 runs for the second wicket. Rossouw followed right-hander Hendricks with his third 50+ score, as he went on to record his seventh T20I 50. The South Africans set a formidable 208 for win despite being restricted toward the end of their innings (Heinrich Klaasen made 19 and Tristan Stubbs was 15 not out).

England got off to a fast start due to captain Jos Buttler (29) and Jason Roy (20), but Phehlukwayo struck in the fourth over to get the captain out following a 37-run stand. Following the dismissals of Dawid Malan (5) and Roy by spinners Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj (1/37) respectively, Moeen Ali (28) was the next victim. Shamsi also claimed the wickets of Sam Curran (2) and Jonny Bairstow (1/35) after the latter had produced the game's highest total of 30.

The Proteas then mopped up the tail, giving them a victory that will strengthen their confidence going into Sunday's final game.