England’s batsman Jos Buttler hits a six during the third Twenty-20 match against South Africa at Edgbaston Wednesday. — AFP BIRMINGHAM – Jos Buttler’s quickfire 32 not out provided the platform for England to beat South Africa by 28 runs in the third and final Twenty20 international at Edgbaston Wednesday.

Victory saw World Twenty20 champion England, which heads to Sri Lanka on Thursday to defend the title it won in the Caribbean two years ago, square this three-match series at 1-1 with one no result.

Most of Buttler’s runs, in a match reduced by rain to 11 overs per side, came in a costly ninth over worth 32 from left-arm quick Wayne Parnell.It was the second most expensive over in Twenty20 international history after Yuvraj Singh struck England captain Stuart Broad for 36 runs made up of six sixes in Durban during the inaugural 2007 World Twenty20.

England made 118 for five – with Man of the Match Buttler facing just 10 balls including three sixes and two fours.

South Africa, which was never up with the rate, finished on 90 for five.
Opener Craig Kieswetter made 50 off 32 balls with three sixes and three fours and together with Buttler, whose previous England best was 13, he put on 48 in 14 balls.

South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel’s third ball of the match was a huge wide that sped past Proteas captain and wicketkeeper AB de Villiers on its way to the fine leg boundary, with 16 runs in all coming off the first over.

Hashim Amla, a thorn in England’s side throughout this summer, was the main man for South Aafrica, having hit his 100th four of the season in all formats. However, he fell for 36. — AFP