AB de Villiers admitted that he found it tough against Mason Crane and Liam Dawson.

South Africa’s captain struggled against Hampshire’s spinners after the powerplay, before finishing unbeaten on 65 (58 balls) as his side made a below par 142-3.

Crane had received a good reception from his home crowd, who remained at a fervour as his first delivery led to a failed lbw appeal and were rising to their feet for two further close calls.

He conceded only two boundaries - the last of which came from his final, and worst, ball of his debut, a full toss against De Villiers.

But he certainly outbowled Imran Tahir, the former Hampshire cult hero who gave Crane a masterclass during his last stint with the county in 2014.

De Villiers told Sky Sports: “I had to be positive and it was really easy to use the pace in first six overs.

“But England changed it up with the spinners and bowled really well.

“It was difficult to hit through the line and maybe there was a bit of moisture there.

“That’s no excuse but maybe they got the better half of it.”

Once Crane and Dawson were out of the attack, South Africa made 58 from the last six overs.

“We tried to have a go,” added de Villiers, who is now aiming to channel his side’s disappointment into levelling the series at Taunton tomorrow, ahead of Sunday’s decider in.

“We go to Taunton not done and dusted we always fight our way back us South Africans,” he added.