England vs South Africa 1st ODI – 5 Talking Points

After England’s wrap of the Test series, the limited-overs tour consisting of five ODIs and two T20Is in England to South Africa is an important tournament for both the teams just before the World T20 Cup in India later this year. This match was between an unfinished limited-overs English side and a South African team looking at new options.

The match started off with a blazing start by England when they posted 399-9 in the first innings. South Africa looked no less and they commenced their innings well. England with a few wickets defeated South Africa in a rain-struck match by 39 runs according to the D/L method.

Let’s look at the 5 Talking Points in this match.

1. Jos Buttler and Joe Root’s Partnership

After Alex Hales and Roy gave a good foundation for the innings ahead of the innings, it was the turn of Roots and Buttler’s show of strength. Eoin Morgan’s decision to bat first worked out for the team. Their partnership of 97 runs was an important one and was brilliantly played out by both the players. Joe Root scored his 12^th ODI Century in an amazing fashion but his happiness was short-lived after he fell for 52 in the 30^th over to Chris Morris. Jos Buttler also scored a magnificent 105 in the game in just 76 balls. Ironically his century in 73 balls is his slowest ODI Century. He departed after playing a splendid knock to Farhaan Behardian in the 43^rd over.

2. 4 wickets in the last 5 overs for the visitors

England dominated the entire innings or at least they managed to play well till the 45^th over. South Africa showed their bowling skills in the end and made a late comeback by picking up 4 wickets in the last 5 overs and restricting a cruising England to a score under 400. Morris dismissed Ben Stokes for a well-made 57 and Rashid for 2, De Lange took the wicket of Chris Jordan and Imran Tahir did very well to dismiss the all-rounder Moeen Ali.

3. England’s second highest total

Everything went well from the word ‘go’ after the English side played well to almost cross the 400 run mark. After 408 which England scored against New Zealand in June at home last year, this was their second highest total which they had put up. With everybody in the team contributing England scored 399/9 at the end of their 50 overs. Roy and Alex Hales put up 68 at the beginning and it was followed by sensational performances from Buttler, Root and Ben Stokes down the order. It was the first time in the cricketing history that all top 8 batsmen had managed to score a six in an ODI. England could have piled up more runs if not for a late sprout by the South African bowlers in chipping in with wickets.

4. Quinton De Kock’s highest individual score

Quinton De Kock is growing by confidence day by day and this is not just said by cricketing experts all over but is justified by the skill and maturity in his performances which he has consistently delivered. Kock scored his third century in four games and his 9^th overall. De Kock who opened the innings as usual for the host played really well in an attempt to win the game. Amla looked in fine nick before he got dismissed in the third over itself. He was then supported by Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy and he scored an amazing century with a four and punched his hand in the air and got a well-deserved standing ovation from the crowd. He is known for his amazing conversion rate and showed why he is one of the best-emerging players to look out for. He also became the youngest South African at the age of 23 Years and 48 Days to score 2000 runs eclipsing Kallis’ record of 23 Years and 192 Days. Before the rains stopped play the young South African had scored an unbeaten 138 of just 96 balls and this became his highest ever score in ODI Cricket. Sadly, he ended on the losing side of the game.

5. Moeen Ali’s three-for

The weatherman had predicted the chances for rain to disrupt the game. England knew they had to take wickets and halt the hosts in their chase to restrict them in crossing the par score by D/L method. Moeen Ali did just what the doctor ordered for the English men. Picking up three wickets at crucial intervals helped England a lot. First he took the wicket of the settled and dangerous du Plessis for 55 and broke the partnership between him and de Kock. Next he picked up the dangerous AB De Villiers after Ben Stokes completed a stunning catch at the boundary. In the last over before the rain interrupted the match Ali dismissed Riley Roussow and the scorecard humorously read ‘Rilee c Willey b Ali’. His three wickets for just 43 runs in 6 overs in a high scoring game helped the visitors win the first ODI of the series and take a lead of 1-0 in the 5-match encounter.