Published: May 25, 2017, 02:33 AM (IST)
Edited: May 25, 2017, 10:41 AM (IST)
England dominated South Africa across all departments in the first of the three-match One-Day Internationals (ODI) series’ contest. Headingley witnessed some brilliant bowling from Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Chris Woakes, which saw the home side defend 339 runs with much ease. South Africa were helped only by Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers that saw them lose the tie by 72 runs, handing England a 1-0 lead. The visitors, in reply to hosts’ target of 340, had a decent start with both openers providing a 33-run stand. Hashim Amla in particular did all the scoring, whereas Quinton de Kock managed just 5 runs before handing Jos Buttler a simple caught behind off Chris Woakes. Promoted up in the order, Faf du Plessis at No. 3 along with Amla ran havoc on the English new ball attack. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD, England vs South Africa – 1st ODI
Amla in particular tore into Mark Wood hitting him for 5 fours in a span of 2 overs. Du Plessis meanwhile had a liking for Chris Woakes whipping him for 4 fours in 5 balls only into his innings. Amla with the introduction Adil Rashid looked a bit tentative but did that not deter his stroke play. He reached his 50 in 49 balls, his 32nd in ODIs. Du Plessis followed the suit and got to his fifty in 47 balls. The partnership ended on 112 when Amla was out leg before off Mark Wood. Amla made 73 off 76.
AB de Villiers came out to partner du Plessis but that was short lived. Du Plessis, trying to nudge the ball on the leg side, gave Buttler a simple catch off Liam Plunkett. Du Plessis made 67 off 61. Soon South Africa found themselves with two new men in the middle; ABD and JP Duminy.
The pair provide some resistance, especially de Villiers, with his fluent hitting. Duminy, on the other end, continued to mishit. He ended up making just 15 runs before holding out to Woakes. This opened the flood gates for England as back-to-back wickets of David Miller and Chris Morris was achieved. While Miller mistimed one off Woakes, Morris was guilty of trying for the reverse sweep of Adil Rashid.
After a brief period in the middle trying to avoid the inevitable perished as well. Trying to loft Moeen, de Villiers came down the track way early and had to reach for the ball that was short and wide. Unable to get any elevation he ended up giving a catch for 45.
Parnell along with Rabada snitched up a mini stand off 37 runs for the ninth wicket. Parnell trying to go of the big heave fell for 19 while Rabada deceived by the slower ball fell victim to Woakes for 19 as well. He became Woakes’ fourth wicket.
Earlier in the day, England asked to bat first scored a mammoth score of 339 for 6. Eoin Morgan, who ended up scoring 107, held their innings together, while Alex Hales and Moeen Ali scored fifties.
Brief scores:
England 339 for 6 in 50 overs (Eoin Morgan 107, Moeen Ali 77* ; Chris Morris 2 for 48 ) beat South Africa 267 in 45 overs (Hashim Amla 73 , Faf du Plessis 67 ; Chris Woakes 4 for 38 ) by 72 runs.
Man of the Match: Moeen Ali.
FULL CRICKET SCORECARD, England vs South Africa – 1st ODI
