Brilliant Archer takes six to inspire England to win

England 346 for 7 (Buttler 131, Malan 118, Ngidi 4-62) beat South Africa 287 (Klaasen 80, Hendricks 52, Archer 6-40) by 59 runs

Kimberley: A resurgent Jofra Archer took six wickets to inspire England to a 59-run consolation victory against South Africa in the third one-day international.

Defending 347 after superb centuries from Dawid Malan and Jos Buttler, Archer took a match-changing 6-40 in his second international match back after 17 months out injured.

He bowled at high pace and unsettled batters in a performance reminiscent of his debut international season in 2019.

The 27-year-old had Rassie van der Dussen caught in his first spell and, with the Proteas well placed at 158-3, he returned to dismiss Aiden Markram and David Miller in consecutive overs.

Heinrich Klaasen then threatened to take South Africa to a stunning victory with 80 from 62 balls but Archer ended his onslaught to all but decide the contest.

He then bowled Wayne Parnell to clinch his first five-wicket haul and wrapped up the match by dismissing Tabraiz Shamsi - the Proteas all out for 287 in 43.1 overs.

The win ends England's five-match losing run in the format but the return to form of Archer could prove of far more significance in a year when his side host Australia in the Ashes, and defend the 50-over World Cup the paceman did so much to help win four years ago.

After taking the final wicket, Archer's emotions looked to be a mixture of relief and delight as he led his side from the field.