Bloemfontein - England claimed the advantage in their five-match One-Day series with South Africa claiming a 39-run victory via the Duckworth Lewis Method after the home-team’s innings was halted by rain in the 34th over on Wednesday night.
South Africa, chasing exactly 400 for victory, were 250/5 when the dark clouds which had been threatening for most of the afternoon, unleashed their contents on the Mangaung Oval. South Africa needed to be on 290 to win the game, but despite a spirited effort led by a very well constructed century from Quinton de Kock they ultimately feel short.
Earlier England had posted 399/9 – their second highest total in One-Day Internationals – against a hapless South African bowling attack.
The touring team’s captain Eoin Morgan won the toss, choosing to bat on a flat pitch and on a fast outfield it was always likely that bat would dominate ball. South Africa’s bowlers though were dreadful, failing to maintain consistent lines and lengths and gifting the English to many easy deliveries which they happily dispatched to the boundary. In all the tourists hit 15 sixes the most they’d ever managed in an ODI.
England stayed true to their new attacking philosophy and despite the loss of wickets each new batsman seemingly scored quicker than the man he replaced.
Four of their batsmen went past 50, with Jos Buttler producing the outstanding performance in scoring the fourth century of his career – and his second in succession.
Buttler mixed power with creativity, so there were a few ‘scoops’ over the keeper and a number of reverse sweeps as first in partnership with Joe Root, who made 52, he put on 97 runs for the third wicket, and then added 61 for the fifth wicket with Ben Stokes.
Buttler’s hundred came off 73 balls, and he was dismissed a short while after achieving the landmark when he was caught at mid-off by De Villiers off Behardien for 105, which included 11 fours and five sixes.
Whereas Buttler shared important partnerships, the downfall in the South African innings was that with the exception of Faf du Plessis, no one could stay in long enough with De Kock.
That pair put on 110 for the second wicket and had South Africa ahead of the required run rate. England’s bowling wasn’t as bad as South Africa’s - aside from Chris Jordan – but none of their seamers had the pace to cause South Africa’s batsmen any discomfort.
Du Plessis made 55 off 44 balls, and once he was out De Kock took over. His shot making was sublime and anything short or when he was given width was dispatched disdainfully to the fence.
He registered his ninth century in the process and while he was at the crease there was still some hope for the hosts. However where England’s batsmen shared in five stands of 50 or more, Du Plessis’ and De Kock’s was the only one of that kind for South Africa.
Off-spinner Moeen Ali picked up three wickets, including that of De Villiers thanks to a spectacular one-handed catch from Ben Stokes, running around the long-on boundary.
With wickets constantly falling, the Duckworth Lewis calculation kept going in England’s favour. De Kock was not out on 138 when the rain came having faced 96 balls and included 12 fours and six sixes.
The second match in the series will be played in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
IOL