Eoin Morgan praised Chris Jordan for his crucial over late in England’s maiden T20 victory over South Africa

Chris Jordan’s spectacular yorkers put an end to the situation as he gave up just three off the 18th and five off the 20th to give England the lead in a three-match series. Game two will be shown on Thursday on Sky Sports Cricket (6pm on air, 6.30pm start)
Chris Jordan’s “expertise, technique, and calm nature,” according to Eoin Morgan, helped England defeat South Africa in the opening T20 match.

At Bristol’s Seat Unique Stadium, England pounced on the short boundaries and hammered 234 for six, their second-highest score in the 20-over format that should be enough for a 41-run victory.

Jordan’s excellent death bowling allowed England to win as the tension rose late in the game. He just let up three off the 18th and five off the 20th thanks to some superb yorkers.

In a high-scoring game like tonight, you need to have that expertise, that skill, and that cool demeanour in which he conducts himself, Morgan told Sky Sports. “I think when individuals like him come and perform, sure, it might be overlooked a lot of the time,” Morgan said.

“He is England’s most seasoned player, and he bowls the most of the challenging but unrewarding overs. The flashy, glamorous side of T20 cricket is that it draws strong batsmen and high-scoring matches.

“It is absolutely precious to have a side that can generate bowling like when you need it.

“I found him to be quite clear. Even the simplest of his ideas worked flawlessly, and he clearly used his variation a little bit more today than we have likely seen him do in the past. He coordinated brilliantly with his skipper Jos Buttler.”

Shaun Pollock, a former South Africa star, called Jordan’s death over “one of the best death overs” he had ever seen “Perhaps things are going in your favour because you’re heading in the direction South Africa needed to go and the game is on the line, but you still need to land the ball where it needs to be.