Dawid Malan continued his excellent form to top the T20 rankings after the 3-0 series win against South Africa in Cape Town

A spectacular Dawid Malan’s 99 not out catapulted England to the top of the T20 rankings after a 3-0 series win over South Africa in Cape Town.

Chasing 192, this should’ve been a tough task for the English batsmen but, Malan and Jos Butler put on a formidable 167 run partnership to cruise to victory with 14 balls left. 

Butler also finished unbeaten on 67 off 46 balls whilst Malan hit his 99 off just 47 balls to secure the nine-wicket win after yet another soft Jason Roy dismissal. 

Malan has been imperious this series, backing up his man-of-the-match last game after another match-winning innings of 55.

“The last two innings I haven’t hit it as well as I had liked.

“I thought 190 might be a bit too many. We ended up getting a bit of momentum and the wicket played so well – it skidded on nicely,” said the 33-year-old.

The Proteas put on an impressive total of 191-3 with Rassie van der Dussen unbeaten on 74 and Faf du Plessis scoring 50 not out.

However, the light rainfall during England’s innings meant that spinners George Linde and Tabraiz Shamsi couldn’t make the impact that they made in the previous matches. 

England now sit at the top of the ICC (International Cricket Council) T20 rankings but fierce rivals Australia can leapfrog them if they win their upcoming series against India. 

“It’s fantastic for us to achieve that status. It’s a result of us playing good cricket and it’s exciting for us to know that we are playing well,” said England wicketkeeper Butler. 

This game wasn’t just noteworthy due to the batting from both sides but also because of England’s analytical team using a bizarre method of communication.

The staff hung coded letters and numbers from the balcony for captain Eoin Morgan to use. The England and Wales Cricket Board gained approval for this idea from the ICC despite some backlash on social media.

England will lock horns against South Africa again in a three-match one-day series starting this Friday at Newlands. 

By Jon Bazley