Alex Hales leads England to win vs SA

Alex Hales fell one run short of a century but did enough to set up a five-wicket win for England over South Africa in the second ODI at St George's Park on Saturday

Port Elizabeth: Alex Hales fell one run short of a century but did enough to set up a five-wicket win for England over South Africa in the second ODI at St George's Park on Saturday.

England's Alex Hales in full flow against South Africa at Port Elizabeth on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images

The victory gave England a two-nil lead in the five-match series after a game where batsmen from both sides struggled to play fluently on a slow pitch.

South Africa made 262 for seven and England needed a late flurry of strokes by Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali to reach the target in 46.2 overs.

Captain AB de Villiers top-scored for South Africa with an unusually sedate 73, while Hales played a crucial anchor role for England before he was fifth man out for 99.

Hales and Joe Root (38) put on 97 for the second wicket.

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