Published: May 24, 2017, 10:21 PM (IST)
Edited: May 24, 2017, 10:58 PM (IST)
South Africa, amidst tight security at Headingley, took on England in the first of the three-match One Day International series between both sides. Winning the toss, visiting skipper AB de Villiers elected to bowl. England were provided a great platform by their top order but failed to make good practice of it. It was England skipper Eoin Morgan who rose to his sides’ rescue to anchor their faltering innings along with a blitz by Moeen Ali. For South Africa, it was a combined bowling effort egged upon by some outstanding ground fielding that stopped England’s march early on. In the end, the home side managed to put up a record total of 339 for 6 on the board; highest ever ODI score at Leeds. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD, England vs South Africa – 1st ODI
England openers Alex Hales and Jason Roy came out in the middle with Kagiso Rabada and Wayne Parnell charging in with the new ball. Roy, who did not participate much for Gujarat Lions (GL) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017, perished for just 1. Looking for the expansive drive, Roy poked away from his body and handed Quinton de Kock a simple catch behind the wickets off Parnell.
England Test skipper Joe Root came out at No.3 to stablise the innings. Root and Hales did play out a probing spell of fast bowling by Rabada and Hales. The latter, in particular, took on the charge and milked boundaries at will on both sides of the wicket. The pair brought up their 50-run stand in 37 balls.
This was also the 11th 50+ stand between the pair since ICC World Cup 2015. Just at the conclusion of powerplay, South Africa called upon their trump card in Imran Tahir. Hales continued his aggression and brought up his 8th ODI fifty in 52-balls.
Andile Phelukwayo, who replaced Chris Morris, produced a wicket first up. Hales who looked well set for a hundred, poked away from his body and perished much like his teammate Roy. Hales and Root had a 98-run stand.
Morgan, who was struggling to find form, came out in the middle. Soon, Root too fell after making a 51-ball 37. Phehlukwayo used the bouncer to good effect to get his second wicket on English soil. Root, trying to hook, managed to lob the ball towards square leg fielder.
Root’s wicket brought IPL’s most valuable player Ben Stokes in the middle. Amidst all the wickets, Morgan surpassed Alec Stewart (4,677) as England’s third-highest run-scorer in ODIs. Morgan reached his 33rd ODI half-century in no time, taking just 44 balls. Just when he looked all set for a big score, Stokes fell to Rabada for 25. Trying to pull the ball, he ended up giving a simple catch at deep mid wicket.
Jos Buttler, who joined Morgan, lasted just 7 balls. Buttler’s dismissal was quite lame as he ended up giving the fielder a simple catch at fine leg off Morris for 7.
Soon Morgan found himself batting with Moeen with half the team back in the dressing room. Moeen, after getting his eye in, tore apart the likes of Parnell and Tahir. Moeen’s carnage in Tahir’s ninth over was one of the highlights; 3 sixes. He brought up his fifth ODI fifty in 35 balls.
The pair without much urgency stitched-up quite a crucial stand of 100 in 71 balls. Morgan soon reached his 11th ODI ton with a massive six over fine leg in just 90 balls.
The pair also recorded the highest partnership for the sixth wicket against South Africa beating previous best of 112 set by Neil Fairbrother and Adam Hollioke in 98′.
Morgan in an attempt to up the ante fell to Morris for 93-ball 107. This brought an end to the 117-run stand.
Moeen 77* and Chris Woakes 7* ensured there were no further casualties for England as they ended up making 339 for 6.
Brief scores:
England: 339 for 6 in 50 overs (Eoin Morgan 107 , Moeen Ali 77* ; Chris Morris 2 for 48 ) vs South Africa.
