LONDON: Senior batsmen Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis both hit half-centuries as South Africa completed their preparations for the One-day International series against England with a narrow 13-run win over Northamptonshire at Wantage Road on Sunday.

Amla made 59 and du Plessis 50, with David Miller’s 51 the other main contribution to a modest Proteas total of 275 for seven.

Northamptonshire then slumped to 215 for eight before Tim Sole’s 54 gave them a chance of victory.

The hosts were nine wickets down and needing 27 off 24 balls when debutant Sole twice hoisted Andile Phehlukwayo over long-off for six.

Suddenly, Northamptonshire’s target was 14 off three overs but experienced Proteas fast bowler Morne Morkel ended the match by having Sole caught at third man off a short ball.

Earlier, South Africa slumped from 197 for three to 221 for seven before J.P. Duminy and Chris Morris collected 31 from the last three overs to give the tourists’ attack a total they could defend.

Quinton de Kock fell for a seven-ball duck before the crowd were treated to a stand of 93 between Amla and du Plessis.

Amla, often a thorn in England’s side, completed a 63-ball fifty before he holed out to long-on to give Sole his first wicket in senior professional cricket.

Du Plessis, who struggled for fluency, was eventually caught at deep midwicket Miller struck Sole for two impressive sixes but lost his middle stump to an Azharullah inswinger.

South Africa face England in the first of three ODIs at Headingley on Wednesday, with both sides using the series as a warm-up for next month’s Champions Trophy tournament in England and Wales.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2017