The batters have done their bit for South Africa. On a placid wicket with dew probably coming into play, how will Steyn and Co. go? As far as England are concerned, they need a good start. Welcome back.. Faf and his men are in the customary huddle. The captain is doing all the talking. "England should not die wandering," reckons Nasser Hussain. Here come Hales and Roy. Rabada is already there waiting for the umpire. Roy to face the music first up. Morgan is padded up and looks up for the battle. A slip in place and Rabada steams in....
"Good wicket. We have got a good score, now we have to bowl well. There was some swing up front and hence I used my feet. I wouldn't say it is too much of a tactic, but it worked today. The new ball was coming on and we have to bowl well with it. We'll go out there and see if there is any dew. We have trained hard and we'll see how it goes out there" - a confident sounding Quinton de Kock.
After feeding on some mediocrity, QDK holed out to deep mid-wicket, de Villiers came, left after two big hits. Soon after, Moeen Ali sent Amla back but the innings was already in a fast-paced lane, devoid of speed-breakers. Unsure about how conditions are going to be in the next half, South Africa kept their plan simple - see, hit. DO NOT WASTE TIME. They might have lost a few wickets in the middle overs but when you have a batting line up longer than the tail of an Irish Wolfhound, you can afford to get reckless. The finishing touches were provided by Miller and Duminy giving South Africa 47 more than what England had the other day against West Indies. The question is do England have a Gayle?
I cannot tell you for sure whether England believe in stars or not but luck has definitely turned its back on them. For the second consecutive time in the tournament, the England bowlers looked hapless as the Proteafire gave serious burns to them. The first over was the lull before the storm with only 2 runs coming off it, off the next three came 48. On expected lines, QDK started the carnage, then in the 5th over, a saint-like Amla clubbed Chris Jordan for 22 runs. The belligerence from the duo begot 83 runs in the powerplay- 3rd highest in the history of T20 WC.
19.6 -
Jordan to D Miller, FOUR, what a way to finish. Length delivery slanted across the left-hander, Miller had to reach out for that, he does so and smashes it towards deep extra cover. Sweeper had a few yards to cover and he couldn't get there
19.5 -
Jordan to D Miller, SIX, full toss on the pads and Miller doesn't need a second invitation. He says thank you very much, gets those strong forearms into play and whips it over deep mid-wicket. Stokes was only a spectator
19.4 -
Jordan to Duminy, 1 run, dropped! The skipper puts one down. Just sums up England's display in the field. Very full delivery, Duminy slices it with the bat face turning towards extra cover, Morgan runs forward, dives and gets both hands, but can't hang on
19.3 -
Jordan to Duminy, no run, yorker slanted across the left-hander, Duminy bends down and can't squeeze it out. Rare dot delivery..
19.2 -
Jordan to Duminy, SIX, fifty for Duminy. Third of the innings for South Africa. Any thoughts regarding his place in the side have been thrown out of the window. Miller goes and congratulates his partner. Full toss around off, Duminy hoicks it towards long-on, was in the air for a while, but cleared a leaping Roy
19.1 -
Jordan to D Miller, 1 run, low full toss around off, Miller was disappointed with himself, yells "NO" as he drives to long-on
Chris Jordan [2.0-0-31-0] is back into the attack
Jordan to bowl the final over. How much can South Africa garner?
18.6 -
Topley to D Miller, 1 run, fullish from Topley, Miller drills it as hard as he could, straight to long-off though
18.5 -
Topley to Duminy, 3 runs, fuller and on the stumps, was in the spot for a swing towards cow corner, Duminy went too hard on the heave, dragged it off the inner part to deep mid-wicket. Stokes fires in a throw at the striker's end. Moeen Ali makes a mess of it backing up and the duo sneak in an extra run
18.4 -
Topley to D Miller, 1 run, getting better. Yorker aimed at the base of leg-stump, Miller moves his front leg out of the way and jams it to long-on
18.3 -
Topley to Duminy, 1 run, fine delivery. Fires it right into the blockhole, Duminy can't get underneath this one, only manages to squeeze it behind square on the leg-side
Pressure on Topley! Not the start he would have wanted..
18.2 -
Topley to Duminy, SIX, this is even better. The 200 comes up for South Africa. The slower delivery on a fuller length, right in the zone for Duminy, who plonks his front foot forward and lofts it beautifully over extra cover for a second six
18.1 -
Topley to Duminy, SIX, Topley's poor night with the ball continues. Starts the over with a friendly full toss just outside off, Duminy makes a bit of room and lofts inside out, had enough power to clear the rope
Reece Topley [1.0-0-15-0] is back into the attack
17.6 -
Willey to Duminy, 1 run, length ball on the stumps, Duminy kneels down to play the scoop, gets it off the inner half of the bat to fine leg. Keeps strike for the penultimate over. Once again, one bad delivery ruins the over
17.5 -
Willey to D Miller, 1 run, low full toss following the batsman who was backing away, clipped to deep mid-wicket
17.4 -
Willey to D Miller, SIX, the commentators curse. Just when I said, it was a good over so far. Willey doesn't get the yorker right, bowls a full toss on leg-stump, Miller had to pick his spot, he swings across the line and sends it over deep mid-wicket
17.3 -
Willey to Duminy, 1 run, Duminy decides to give the charge, yorks himself and ends up flicking it to deep square leg. Three singles in the over, England and Willey would take that at this stage
17.2 -
Willey to D Miller, 1 run, another well-directed yorker, Miller can't get underneath that, gets his leg out of the way and squirts it off the inside edge to fine leg
17.1 -
Willey to Duminy, 1 run, yorker speared in from over the wicket, Duminy clears his front leg and jams it to deep mid-wicket
England have pulled things back after the fall of Amla. The yorkers are being well executed. And if they can contain South Africa to under 220, it would be a job well done...
16.6 -
Jordan to Duminy, 1 run, shortens the length outside off, Duminy waits and back cuts it to third man. Apart from the four, it was a good over from Jordan
16.5 -
Jordan to D Miller, 1 run, in the blockhole and around off, Miller eases it to sweeper cover
16.4 -
Jordan to Duminy, 1 run, England have been poor in the field. There was no single and Jordan lets Duminy scamper across. Fuller and Duminy pushes it back to the bowler, Jordan doesn't bend down enough in his followthrough. Lets the ball escape
16.3 -
Jordan to D Miller, 1 run, very full and almost yorker length, Miller squeezes the drive to extra cover, quick single taken
16.2 -
Jordan to D Miller, FOUR, Jordan dishes out buffets balls and continues to get punished. Length delivery on the pads, Miller gets inside the line and glances it fine. The fielder puts in a desperate dive, all in vain
16.1 -
Jordan to Duminy, 1 run, fullish and outside off, Duminy leans into the drive to sweeper cover
Chris Jordan [1.0-0-22-0] is back into the attack
15.6 -
Willey to Duminy, 1 run, Willey is getting some inward movement. Another yorker curls back in and Duminy can only drive it towards mid-off. A very good over from Willey, just 7 runs and the wicket of Faf
15.5 -
Willey to D Miller, 1 run, huge shout for LBW. Ravi gives it as runs. Morgan can't believe it. Yorker tailing in on middle, Miller is late in bringing his bat down, is pinged on the right boot. There was no inside edge and Miller is lucky to be out there. Would have crashed into leg-stump
15.4 -
Willey to Duminy, 1 run, low full toss and on the stumps, Duminy digs it out to long-on
15.4 -
Willey to Duminy, wide, gets the radar wrong on the attempted yorker, well down leg and Duminy fails to lay bat on the glance
David Miller, left handed bat, comes to the crease
15.3 -
Willey to du Plessis, out Caught by Jason Roy!! Utter rubbish gets a wicket. It was a low full toss, just below knee height, was on middle and leg, du Plessis stayed on leg-stump, stooped low and heaves it to deep mid-wicket, gets it nowhere close to the middle and holes out. Roy had to move in a few yards, he does so and pouches it comfortably. Might be a good thing for South Africa as it brings Miller to the crease. du Plessis c Jason Roy b Willey 17(17) [4s-1]
Willey to du Plessis, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
15.2 -
Willey to du Plessis, 2 runs, in the air and just over extra cover. The length was there to play the inside out loft, Faf made room as well, but the bat turned and he sliced it towards extra cover. Morgan ran back, just fell in front of him
Once again Morgan and Willey confer and make few field changes. Round the wicket to Faf...
15.1 -
Willey to Duminy, 1 run, good start. Right up into the blockhole, Duminy can't do much with that, gets his front leg out of the way and squeezes it off the inner part of the bat to deep mid-wicket
David Willey [2.0-0-22-0] is back into the attack
Willey back and quite a few changes being made to the field. Third man in and so too is mid-off..
14.6 -
Stokes to Duminy, 1 run, better, fuller and couple of inches short from the yorker length, Duminy closes the bat face and drives to long-on. For the fourth succsessive over, he hogs the strike from Faf
14.6 -
Stokes to Duminy, wide, sprays this well outside off, Duminy tries to reach it with a slash, too far. Wide called
14.5 -
Stokes to Duminy, FOUR, Stokes hangs his head back, in fact bends down in disbelief. But he has no one else to blame than him. Full toss on the pads, that's easy pickings for any batsman, Duminy tickles it fine and beats short fine comfortably
14.4 -
Stokes to du Plessis, 1 run, Stokes gets away with a juicy full toss outside off, du Plessis creams the drive to sweeper cover
14.3 -
Stokes to du Plessis, byes, 2 runs, sloppy from Buttler. du Plessis wanted to play the scoop again. Stokes fires a low full toss outside off, Faf tries to adjust and goes for the reverse lap, doesn't make connection and Buttler fails to glove the ball, two bonus runs
14.2 -
Stokes to du Plessis, FOUR, premeditation. Length delivery around off, du Plessis had made up his mind to play the scoop, shuffles across and plays it fine, not off the middle but enough to fetch him four
14.1 -
Stokes to Duminy, 1 run, banged in halfway down the wicket, Duminy gets into a nice position and nails the pull shot. Unfortunately picks out the deep mid-wicket fielder. Either side and that would have been four
Ben Stokes [1.0-0-11-0] is back into the attack
13.6 -
Root to Duminy, 1 run, quicker and around off, Duminy stays leg-side of the ball and eases it behind square on the off-side, retains strike with a single. An over that should have gone for less than 10, goes for 13
13.5 -
Root to Duminy, FOUR, that is rubbing salt into the wound. Duminy should not have been on strike. However, it was a rank long hop from Root, short and down leg, Duminy swivels and pulls it behind square, no chance for the man in the deep
13.4 -
Root to Duminy, FOUR, Root is livid. Morgan is also not happy. It was a relatively easy stop, but Hales has made a mess of it. Duminy mistimes the loft towards long-on, goes on the bounce and Hales overruns the ball, it deviates ever so slightly and beats his outstretched left hand
13.3 -
Root to du Plessis, 1 run, drops it short and offers width outside off, cracked in front of square on the off-side
Stays round the wicket to Faf...
13.2 -
Root to Duminy, 1 run, tossed up from round the wicket, Duminy strides forward and drives to sweeper cover
13.1 -
Root to Duminy, 2 runs, Duminy advances and Root pushes it down leg, Duminy adjusts and works it with soft hands into the on-side, no one in the ring and by the time Buttler chased it down, the duo scampered back for the second
Joe Root, right-arm off break, comes into the attack
England's tweakers have completed their quota. Moeen Ali: 4-0-34-2 and Adil Rashid: 4-0-35-1. The duo have brought their side back in the game and Morgan opts for more spin. Here is Root...
12.6 -
Adil Rashid to Duminy, 1 run, Rashid drifts one outside off, eased square on the off-side for a single
12.5 -
Adil Rashid to du Plessis, 1 run, the wrong 'un from Rashid, but it's a fraction too short, chopped away in front of cover-point for a single
12.4 -
Adil Rashid to du Plessis, no run, flatter and quicker outside off, du Plessis makes room and cuts it straight to the fielder at cover
12.3 -
Adil Rashid to Duminy, 1 run, Rashid tosses one outside leg, nudged away behind square on the on-side for a single
12.2 -
Adil Rashid to du Plessis, 1 run, the straighter one from Rashid, du Plessis makes room and cuts it square past cover for a single
12.1 -
Adil Rashid to Duminy, 1 run, Rashid tosses one on Duminy's pads, clipped away in front of square on the on-side for a single
11.6 -
Moeen Ali to Duminy, 1 run, tossed up and just outside off, Duminy comes down the track, plays with the spin and whips it past mid-wicket, off the mark with a single
Jean-Paul Duminy, left handed bat, comes to the crease
Moeen, from round the wicket
11.5 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, out Lbw!! Another big wicket for Moeen, the aggressive Amla has to walk back to the hut. This was full and staright from Moeen, Amla was looking to play the sweep, the length wasn't there for the shot, he misses and is struck on the back thigh. The impact was in front of off and the ball was going on to crash into the stumps. Simple call for umpire Ravi, Ali exults in delight, he's done a fair job with the ball. Amla lbw b Moeen Ali 58(31) [4s-7 6s-3]
Moeen Ali to Amla, THAT'S OUT!! Lbw!!
11.4 -
Moeen Ali to du Plessis, 1 run, pushed through flatter and on middle, du Plessis works it down towards long-on for a single
11.3 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, Moeen drops one short and well outside off, punched square on the off-side for a single
11.2 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 2 runs, too short from Moeen, Amla rocks back and pulls it past square leg, the man in the deep gets across and keeps them down to a couple of runs
11.1 -
Moeen Ali to du Plessis, 1 run, slower and just outside off, worked behind square on the off-side for a single
10.6 -
Adil Rashid to Amla, no run, flighted and just outside off, Amla shuffles across and pushes it back at the bowler
10.5 -
Adil Rashid to Amla, no run, tossed up and spinning away from outside off, Amla has to reach out on the drive, gets a thick edge towards short third man
10.4 -
Adil Rashid to du Plessis, 1 run, flatter and on off, wristily worked away towards long-on. 1000 runs for Faf in T20Is
10.3 -
Adil Rashid to du Plessis, no run, another leg-break from Rashid, but the length is very short, du Plessis backs away on the cut and mistimes it towards the off-side
10.2 -
Adil Rashid to Amla, 1 run, the leg-break from Rashid, Amla was looking to go over cover, doesn't get it off the middle, went off the toe-end, loops in the air and drops in front of long-off
10.1 -
Adil Rashid to du Plessis, 1 run, flatter and on the stumps, punched down towards long-on for a single
9.6 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, SIX, 25-ball fifty for Amla, excellent use of the crease from Amla, the length was short, he made it even shorter by going deep inside the crease, swivels across and pulls it over square leg, hits the ad board on the full
9.5 -
Moeen Ali to du Plessis, 1 run, Moeen drifts one on du Plessis' pads, worked away behind square on the on-side
9.4 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, this one is given more air, eased down towards long-on for a single
9.3 -
Moeen Ali to du Plessis, 1 run, fraction shorter and on du Plessis' pads, nudged away behind square on the on-side for a single
9.2 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, tossed up and on the stumps, driven down towards long-on for a run
9.1 -
Moeen Ali to du Plessis, 1 run, flatter and just outside off, du Plessis backs away and eases it square on the off-side for a single
Faf du Plessis, right handed bat, comes to the crease
8.6 -
Adil Rashid to de Villiers, out Caught by Eoin Morgan!! Huge wicket for Rashid, AB has to walk back to the hut. Hushed silence at the Wankhede. Rush of blood from AB, came charging down the track, doesn't get anywhere near the pitch of the ball, was beaten in the flight as well. He still doesn't concede defeat, was looking to slog it over mid-wicket, lost his shape completely and gets a thick top-edge, high and behind cover-point. Morgan runs back, keeps his eyes on the ball and completes the catch. de Villiers c Eoin Morgan b Adil Rashid 16(8) [6s-2]
Adil Rashid to de Villiers, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
8.5 -
Adil Rashid to de Villiers, no run, the wrong 'un from Rashid, AB was looking to make room on the cut, gets an inside edge back towards the bowler
8.4 -
Adil Rashid to de Villiers, SIX, poor ball from Rashid, drops one short and on the stumps, AB rocks back and pulls it flat and wide of deep square leg, clears the ropes on the full
8.3 -
Adil Rashid to de Villiers, SIX, cracking shot, a little shimmy down the track, AB gets close to the pitch of the ball and lifts it through the line, sends it soaring into the stands at long-on
8.2 -
Adil Rashid to de Villiers, no run, loud shout for LBW, but the angle was taking it down the leg-side, might have been a tad high as well, AB was looking to nudge it towards the on-side and missed
8.1 -
Adil Rashid to de Villiers, 2 runs, Rashid drops one short and well outside off, AB makes room and cuts it in front of square on the off-side, runs hard and comes back for the second run
7.6 -
Moeen Ali to de Villiers, 1 run, Moeen gives this one more air, AB prods across and works it to the right of long-on. Stokes is quick on the ball and keeps the batsmen down to a single
7.5 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, flighted and on off, nudged away towards long-on for a run
7.4 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, flatter and quicker from Moeen, Amla was looking to play the cheeky late cut and missed
7.3 -
Moeen Ali to de Villiers, 1 run, pushed through outside off, AB shuffles across and works it towards long-on for a single
7.2 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, flighted delivery and on off, whipped away in front of square on the on-side for a single
AB de Villiers, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Exit de Kock, enter AB
7.1 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, out Caught by Hales!! Respite for England, they needed this one. This was flighted on off, de Kock came down the track, doesn't get anywhere near the pitch of the ball, was looking to go over the infield, ends up dragging it down to the throat of Hales at deep mid-wicket. Not much celebrations in the English camp, more of palpable relief. de Kock c Hales b Moeen Ali 52(24) [4s-7 6s-3]
Moeen Ali to de Kock, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
Moeen Ali [1.0-0-13-0] is back into the attack
6.6 -
Adil Rashid to Amla, SIX, low full toss from Rashid, that ruins the over for him, Amla gets down low and tonks it high and wide of long-on, went sailing into the crowd, turning out to be another run-fest at the Wankhede
6.5 -
Adil Rashid to de Kock, 1 run, Rashid tosses one on off, worked away behind square on the on-side for a single
6.4 -
Adil Rashid to Amla, 1 run, flighted delivery and well outside off, eased down towards long-off for a single
6.3 -
Adil Rashid to Amla, no run, the googly from Rashid, Amla didn't pick it up, was lunging forward on the drive, gets beaten on the inside edge, didn't miss the stumps by much
6.2 -
Adil Rashid to de Kock, 1 run, flighted delivery and on the stumps, nudged in front of square on the on-side for a single
6.1 -
Adil Rashid to de Kock, FOUR, 21-ball fifty for de Kock, this has been a stunning exhibition of power-hitting, tossed up and just outside off, de Kock leans forward, gets close to the pitch of the ball, plays with the spin and whips it wide of mid-wicket, bisects the two men in the deep
Adil Rashid, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack
5.6 -
Stokes to de Kock, 1 run, fuller length delivery and on the stumps, whipped away past square leg for a single. 83/0 at the end of the batting PP
5.5 -
Stokes to de Kock, FOUR, de Kock is in such mood tonight and Stokes offers him width, the left-hander stands tall and lofts it over extra cover, one bounce and over the fence
5.4 -
Stokes to Amla, 1 run, very full and outside off, squeezed down towards third man for a single, that went at the rate of knots
5.3 -
Stokes to Amla, FOUR, cracking shot, Amla was shuffling across as he looked to open up the on-side. Stokes tried to follow him, ends up offering a wide half-volley outside off, drilled through extra cover for a boundary
5.2 -
Stokes to Amla, no run, much better from Stokes, short of a good length and angling back into Amla, he was looking to go over cover and is beaten on the inside edge
5.1 -
Stokes to de Kock, 1 run, aborted appeal for LBW, but there was a big inside edge on that, else, de Kock was as plumb as it gets. On a good length and on the stumps, de Kock shuffled across on the swipe, the inside edge saved him as the ball rolled away towards the on-side
Ben Stokes, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
4.6 -
Jordan to Amla, no run, yorker length delivery and just outside off, much better from Jordan, Amla was looking to jam it with an open face, the fielder at short third man holds on, but it wasn't a catch
Appeal for a catch. Is it a bump ball? The umpire certainly thinks so, the soft signal is NOT-OUT, the crowd erupts as replays clearly suggest it's a bump ball, NOT OUT is the call
4.5 -
Jordan to Amla, FOUR, cracking shot, Amla is a classy player, but you will not help your cause one bit by bowling utter tripe, full and wide outside off, Amla gets forward, plays with an open face and clears backward point for another boundary
Morgan's face has turned from cool and calm to one of anger
4.4 -
Jordan to Amla, SIX, and it continues to get worse for Morgan, another slower ball from Jordan, another rank half-tracker outside leg, Amla swivels across and pulls it high and over long leg for a maximum
4.3 -
Jordan to Amla, FOUR, cheeky and four, finesse from Amla, this was the slower ball from Jordan, but there's width as well, Amla watched it all along, opens the face of the bat and runs it past short third man, hat-trick of boundaries for Amla
4.2 -
Jordan to Amla, FOUR, Jordan overcompensates and bowls a leg-stump half-volley, Amla shuffles across and flicks it behind square on the on-side, one bounce and over the ropes
4.1 -
Jordan to Amla, FOUR, creamed, on a good length and well outside off, Amla can free his arms once again, goes up and over cover, one bounce and over the ropes for another boundary
Chris Jordan, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
3.6 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, no run, Moeen gives this one more air, de Kock comes down the track and flicks it straight to mid-wicket
3.5 -
Moeen Ali to de Kock, FOUR, lovely from de Kock, pushed through flatter and just outside off, de Kock waits on it, makes room, opens the face of the bat and runs it very fine, beats short third man and rolls away to the fence
3.4 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, 1 run, things turn for the worse for England now, that's a dolly and Topley has shelled it, this was flighted just outside off, Amla was looking to go inside out over cover, hits it straighter and to the left of mid-off, Topley moved across, got both hands and shells it
3.3 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, FOUR, Moeen's luck runs out, another short delivery outside off, Amla backs away and cracks it square past cover, no need to run for those
3.2 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, no run, Moeen drops one short and well outside off, gets lucky as Amla went with hard hands on the cut, mistimes it towards cover-point
3.1 -
Moeen Ali to Amla, FOUR, Amla wants to have some fun as well, tossed up well outside off, that's a free-hit with the field in, Amla gets a good stride forward and lifts it over cover, one bounce and over the fence
Moeen Ali, right-arm off break, comes into the attack
Huge problems for Morgan, his bowlers have been shocking and we haven't yet seen Amla, du Plessis and AB as yet. He responds by bringing in his off-spinner
2.6 -
Willey to de Kock, SIX, clobbered, this has been a frenetic start from de Kock, overpitched and well outside off, de Kock gets a good stride forward, plays with an open face and clouts it high and over the cover fence, hit the roof of the first tier on the full and bounces back onto the ground
2.5 -
Willey to de Kock, FOUR, cracking shot, width on offer from Willey, might have been the slower ball as well, de Kock watches it all along and slaps it behind square on the off-side, bisected the two men at backward point and short third man
Long-on in place now
2.4 -
Willey to de Kock, FOUR, this is a great start from de Kock, on a good length and just outside off, he gets well forward and clubs it back over the bowler's head, couple of bounces and over the ropes
2.3 -
Willey to de Kock, SIX, cracking shot, excellent use of the feet from de Kock, makes room as he did so, gets close to the pitch of the ball and lifts it back over the bowler's head, went sailing all the way
2.2 -
Willey to de Kock, no run, change of strategy from de Kock, he's been given the license to go, shuffles across a long way to a good length delivery outside off, was looking to go over square leg and missed, gets struck on the pads
2.1 -
Willey to de Kock, no run, over ambitious from de Kock, comes dancing down the track to a short of good length delivery and was looking to wallop it over cover, beaten on the outside edge
1.6 -
Topley to Amla, no run, loud shout for LBW, but might have pitched outside leg, Amla was shuffling across on the whip and missed, struck adjacent in front of middle and leg, would have crashed into the stumps, but there's no way the umpire would give those. Umpire Ravi shakes his head immediately
1.5 -
Topley to de Kock, 1 run, much better from Topley, short of a good length and just outside off, chopped in front of point for a quick single
Morgan has a word with his bowler, no changes in the field
1.4 -
Topley to de Kock, FOUR, this is a poor start from Topley, another long half-volley outside off, de Kock gets a big stride forward and drills it past cover for a boundary
1.3 -
Topley to de Kock, FOUR, this is an excellent start from de Kock, on a good length and well outside off, a little shimmy down the track, makes room as he did so and goes over cover, the timing wasn't great, but has enough to roll away to the ropes
1.2 -
Topley to de Kock, no run, ambitious from de Kock, slightly short of a good length and well outside off, looking to tease the batsman into the drive, he went with hard hands and is beaten on the outside edge
1.1 -
Topley to de Kock, SIX, lovely shot, gentle start from Topley, full and swinging away from well outside off, ends up as a half-volley, de Kock reaches out, plays with the movement and lifts it over extra cover, went sailing over the ropes for a maximum
Reece Topley, left-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
0.6 -
Willey to de Kock, 1 run, fuller length delivery and a hint of nip away from outside off, lured de Kock into the drive, he was walking on the shot, there's no balance as he gets a thick edge, down towards third man for a single
0.5 -
Willey to de Kock, no run, width on offer from Willey, de Kock cuts it cripsly but straight to the fielder at backward point
0.4 -
Willey to de Kock, no run, fuller length delivery and well outside off, de Kock went hard on the drive, ends up toe-ending it towards cover-point
0.3 -
Willey to de Kock, no run, on a good length and a hint of shape away from outside off, slapped straight to the fielder at backward point
0.2 -
Willey to Amla, 1 run, tad too full and on Amla's pads, whipped away to the right of mid-on for a single
0.1 -
Willey to Amla, no run, short of a length and well outside off, punched off the back foot, but straight to the fielder at point
Amla and de Kock are at the crease. Amla is on strike. Willey will open the attack
An exhilarating game of cricket where bowlers were rendered irrelevant. More like a slaughterhouse at the Wankhede. Massive scores. Around 460 runs scored. Phew! England have bounced back stunningly from their defeat against West Indies, and they had to. South Africa, well, they were just shadowed by England's batting muscle. So that's it from this one. It's time to sign off while wondering whether we'll see a day where bowling machines will replace bowlers in the shortest form. Goodbye!
Here are some of the reactions on social media to that run-fest:
Aakash Chopra - Batting won. Bowling lost. #ENG #SA #T20 WC
Roshan Abeysinghe - The world talks of the AB's and the Kohlis! But what about Root? Very little mention doesnt make him any lesser player! What a knock today
Stuart Broad - .@root66 is my main hero but @JasonRoy20 runs him close (pardon the pun) what a way to set the tone for a big run chase! So happy #T20 WC
Harbhajan Singh- What a game End vs SA..well done @ECB_cricket for th record chase..one of those day when you don't want to be a bowler
Brian Lara - I'm proud to see a top class TEST BATSMAN @root66 play the most outstansing innings of the #T20 WC leading ENG to an impropable win. #class
Anil Kumble - What a thriller that was!! @root66's knock was as entertaining as it could get! #ENGvsSA #AKLive #T20 WC
Matt Prior - Well played @root66 well played @englandcricket #T20 WC #ENGvSA
Herschelle Gibbs - Eng batsman up to the task..fantastic chase. @Root66
Faf du Plessis: "We've played this game long enough to know that no score is unchaseable and that was the message to the bowlers that we needed to start with intensity and try and get a wicket or two. England played brilliantly and very aggressively in the first six and took the game away from us but there were a lot of extras from our side. Batting was superb. As you saw the first six overs was the best time to bat. Makes execution of your plans tough on this kind of ground. We gave around 25 or 28 extras and that's just too much."
Morgan: "Honestly, I felt we would have to play out of our skin to chase it down. We did just that. Lot of talent in our group and the best way to play is the way we played tonight, with freedom, is the best way to play. That's the message to the squad. It's been brilliant, the past 12 months, where we have had some big chases. But to get a start like that from Roy and Hales was outstanding. Will take a lot of confidence from tonight. Did a lot of things right. Started well with the bat and finished well with the ball. The game nowadays is asking a lot of questions from the bowlers as the batsmen are finding new ways to score. Sometimes, the simple plans are the best. We played with a positive mindset in the West Indies game, and thought if we got Gayle out, we might open up their middle order. But he scored most of their runs and is such an influential player."
Root: "It's just nice to contribute to a win. At halftime the talk was not to get greedy and try for 20 an over. Be sensible and take it really deep. Guys were so calm under pressure. Just back your natural instinct. Try and build a partnership. Couldn't have asked for a better start. Made our job easier as we were ahead of the game from the off. It's about staying cool, get a boundary an over and rotate strike. Bowlers are always under pressure in this format of the game. Longer you can build a partnership, the more pressure you put on them. Fabulous wicket. To get 460 runs on it, just fabulous. The guys would want to carry it with them."
Joe Root is Man of the Match.
Kyle Abbot's toe-crushing yorkers and smart slower deliveries halted the chariot for a while but England were clear about their ideas - drop the guard and exchange blows, somehow this caught South Africa off guard. For the English are not known for this brand of cricket. How often do we see Joe Root reverse sweeping pacers for sixes? What an innings he played! One of the best you will ever see in T20Is. The run chase at the Wankhede had something for everyone, except for the South African fans. Unfortunately for the Proteas they now have the dubious distinction of being at the receiving end of the two biggest successful chases in T20Is.
It is tough to be a bowler nowadays. For they are the ones who receive the maximum blows in a slugfest. Tonight at the Wankhede was no different as it turned out to be a graveyard for the bowlers. First the England bowlers bore the brunt and then du Plessis's bowlers were under the pump as the England batters decided to bring their game face on. Once England had hit the rock bottom, the only way was up. Jason Roy started like a raucous high tide, threatening to gobble up everything. Before he could be calmed, England were in ascendancy.
19.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Moeen Ali, 1 run, no they can't. Ali chips a full ball over mid-off and jogs away to victory. Relief in the England camp as the players jump in joy. Ali and Rashid hug each other. What a performance from an under fire team! It's the highest run-chase in T20 WCs and second highest in T20Is. Spectacular game
19.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Moeen Ali, no run, oooh, what's going on? Almost a yorker outside off, squeezed to short cover. Can South Africa pull the heist of the century?
Adil Rashid, right handed bat, comes to the crease
19.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Moeen Ali, out Willey Run Out!! Now Willey has been run-out. 8 down England. Third umpire has been called for to check. But AB has done a brilliant job at the stumps. Half-volley punched wide of mid-off, lots of hesitation between the batsmen who nearly meet mid-pitch, Ali decides to send Willey back by which time Miller returns the throw to AB who swoops in from mid-on, collects and knocks the stumps. Willey run out (D Miller/de Villiers) 0(0)
Kyle Abbott to Moeen Ali, THAT'S OUT!! Run Out!!
David Willey, left handed bat, comes to the crease
19.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Jordan, out Caught by Duminy!! Eish, we'll have to wait. Short ball outside off, Jordan's bottom hand comes off the handle as he pulls ferociously, slices it off a top edge towards deep backward square. Duminy has to pedal back slightly, catches it with a reverse cup, before falling heavily on his back. Jordan c Duminy b Kyle Abbott 5(3) [4s-1]
Kyle Abbott to Jordan, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
Kyle Abbott [3.0-0-40-2] is back into the attack
One run needed. All the talk at the halfway mark about how England were blown away. They are doing it in a stroll.
18.6 -
Rabada to Jordan, 1 run, he's absolutely swattered a short ball from head height to deep mid-wicket. A couple of house-flies lie beheaded on the pitch
18.5 -
Rabada to Jordan, FOUR, Morgan is up on his feet applauding as Jordan smacks a full toss through extra-cover. It's been a match of errors
18.4 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, 1 run, short of length and hurries Ali on the pull and he flaps it in the air towards deep mid-wicket, lands just short
7 from 9. What a game it's been.
18.3 -
Rabada to Moeen Ali, FOUR, swats a length ball through mid-wicket and there's no one in the deep. Runs away. England move closer
Chris Jordan, right handed bat, comes to the crease
18.2 -
Rabada to Root, out Caught by D Miller!! Root is GONE. Just checking if the ball is over waist height. Didn't seem like it. Got slightly suprised by the full toss and mistimed the slog to deep mid-wicket. Itchety fidgety? Surely not. Not from here. Root c D Miller b Rabada 83(44) [4s-6 6s-3]
Rabada to Root, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
18.1 -
Rabada to Root, no run, near yorker tailing in on middle, softly flicked to square leg
Kagiso Rabada [3.0-0-40-1] is back into the attack
It's 11 off 12 now. Too easy.
17.6 -
C Morris to Moeen Ali, leg byes, FOUR, the errors keep piling up. In the field. With the ball. Everywhere. Angled in sharply from round the wicket, cramps Ali up and hits the pad. Cruelly, the ball deflects fine of third man where Abbott runs round, gets there and dives over the ball while missing with his attempted flick
17.5 -
C Morris to Moeen Ali, no run, wide yorker and it's been squirted to backward point off the toe-end
17.4 -
C Morris to Root, 1 run, full on leg, flicked through square leg
17.3 -
C Morris to Root, FOUR, slips in the bouncer, beats Root for pace and also manages to get big on him. Root swings hard, gets a faint top-edge and beats a jumping de Kock
17.2 -
C Morris to Root, FOUR, sliced over backward point. Brilliant batting. He's picked 8 off the first 2 balls and all but sealed it. Full and outside off, backs away, gets under the ball and carves it away
17.1 -
C Morris to Root, FOUR, oh gosh. The bowling has been shocking today. From both sides. Length ball down leg, giftwrapped with a bow, Root tickles it fine
Chris Morris [2.0-0-26-0] is back into the attack
England have not buried the game yet. South Africa will still feel they have a flicker of a chance. 28 needed off the final 3.
16.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Moeen Ali, no run, the bottom hand comes off as he stretches to slice a low full toss to backward point
16.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, 1 run, reaches out to squeeze a yorker through the covers
16.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Moeen Ali, 1 run, hammers it into the blockhole outside off, Ali can only squeeze it in front of backward point
16.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Moeen Ali, wide, shocking full toss, shocking line - well wide of off, Ali can't reach out and it's been wided
Crowd is up and roaring. That six from Root had been caught nonchalantly by a security guard. And he soaks in all the spotlight as the replays flash on the big screen
16.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, 1 run, low full toss which tails in on leg, flicked through square leg
16.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, SIX, lofted in the air, lofted over long-on, lofted for SIX. Gets it on a length on middle, clears the front leg and goes through the line. Lovely timing
16.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, FOUR, flogged over and wide of square leg. Full ball trying to follow Root as he moves to leg, he picks it up and whips it in the air quite deliberately
Kyle Abbott [2.0-0-26-2] is back into the attack
15.6 -
Tahir to Root, 1 run, fires a low full toss on middle, Root sweeps powerfully behind square but in the vicinity of Amla who slides and stops
15.5 -
Tahir to Moeen Ali, 1 run, tossed up googly outside off, draws Ali into the drive and dips on him, slices it in the air through extra-cover
Moeen Ali, left handed bat, comes to the crease
15.4 -
Tahir to Buttler, out Stumped!! Buttler has run past a googly, and is Stumped. Or is he? de Kock lost the ball in the process of whipping the bails. But the question is, did he have it in possession when he disturbed the timber? Yes he does. OUT flashes on the screen. Where did Buttler want to go but? Missed a tuck down leg, or maybe got some pad, might have thought he's got it wide of the keeper and started running. More replays suggest he had run it straight of the bat-face into the gloves of de Kock. So should have been given caught. Buttler st de Kock b Tahir 21(14) [4s-1 6s-1]
Tahir to Buttler, THAT'S OUT!! Stumped!!
15.3 -
Tahir to Root, 1 run, now that's brilliant improvisation in a crisis. Tries a paddled sweep first, sees the line is outside off, then ramps it over the keeper's head and behind short third man
15.2 -
Tahir to Buttler, 1 run, sliding down leg, Buttler goes down on one knee and sweeps it to short fine leg
15.1 -
Tahir to Root, 1 run, slips a flatter ball on a length on leg, tucked through mid-wicket
England need 47 runs in 30 balls
14.6 -
C Morris to Root, 1 run, chops the yorker off an inside edge in front of backward square leg, while trying to slice it through the off-side
14.5 -
C Morris to Buttler, 1 run, banged into the blockhole and squeezed towards long-off
14.5 -
C Morris to Buttler, wide, too short, too wide outside off, Buttler prefers to take the extra
14.4 -
C Morris to Root, 1 run, low full toss whipped to long-on
14.3 -
C Morris to Root, SIX, how about it! How about it! One hit away from a fifty, Root bends low, picks a low full toss from off, and reverse laps it over short third man. Then raises his bat calmly. Easy as.
14.2 -
C Morris to Buttler, 1 run, fired into the blockhole just outside off, squeezed in front of extra-cover
14.1 -
C Morris to Root, 1 run, full on the pads and flicked wide of deep mid-wicket where Miller is quick. Keeps them to one
14.1 -
C Morris to Root, wide, strays it down leg, wide enough to beat Root on his glance
Chris Morris [1.0-0-13-0] is back into the attack
Who will be the man Faf goes to? Steyn has 2. Morris has 3. Think Tahir will bowl his remaining 1 over. He's gone to Morris.
13.6 -
Tahir to Root, 1 run, flatter and turning slightly from a length on off, patted with the turn through the covers
13.5 -
Tahir to Buttler, 1 run, darts a low full toss on the pads, and is clipped through square leg
13.4 -
Tahir to Root, 1 run, looped up and driven to long-on
13.3 -
Tahir to Buttler, 1 run, tries to play through the off-side but hadn't read the googly, chops it off the inside edge through mid-wicket
13.2 -
Tahir to Buttler, 2 runs, flatter on off, Buttler punches it through extra-cover. Morris puts in the dive running across from sweeper cover, and relays it to AB for a good tag-team stop
13.2 -
Tahir to Buttler, 3 wides, fired down leg, and de Kock can only get some glove. Dew comes to the fielding team's rescue this time as the ball holds up and short fine leg chases it down
13.1 -
Tahir to Root, 1 run, looked like the googly but too full to tell, flicked through mid-wicket
Imran Tahir [2.0-0-13-0] is back into the attack
Something needs to click for South Africa to pull things back. It looks rather easy right now the way they are going. 70 off 7 overs
12.6 -
Steyn to Root, 1 run, bent knee, high elbow as he drives a full ball sweetly to sweeper cover
12.5 -
Steyn to Root, FOUR, here's evidence. Slips out a full toss down leg which is helped away fine of short fine leg. England are cantering
The white towels are out there. Dew picking up
12.4 -
Steyn to Root, 2 runs, full ball on middle and whipped wide of long-on, wide enough to fetch a couple
12.3 -
Steyn to Buttler, 1 run, slower length ball on off, nudged through mid-wicket
12.2 -
Steyn to Root, 1 run, short of length and pulled off the front foot to deep mid-wicket
12.2 -
Steyn to Root, wide, ah, Steyn is in disbelief. Hands on hips and walks past the umpire. Bowls it wide outside off deliberately as Root tries a reverse swat, manages to get it out of his reach and inside the tramlines. And the umpire has signalled it wide
12.1 -
Steyn to Root, 2 runs, very full on the pads, and it's flicked wide of deep mid-wicket who runs across and slides to stop
Dale Steyn [1.0-0-23-0] is back into the attack
After that initial Powerplay onslaught, the required rate has kept hovering around 10 an over. 82 from 48.
11.6 -
Duminy to Buttler, SIX, the crowd roars as it's Buttler's chance now. Rank long-hop on the stumps and poof! Gone. Over the backward square leg fence
11.5 -
Duminy to Root, 1 run, backs away and cuts it to deep cover
11.4 -
Duminy to Root, 2 runs, oh Hashim Amla, well done. Pulled hard behind square, Amla races to his left, stretches both hands to reach out and manages a half-stop. The ball is still skirting close to the cushions and Amla does the same to cut it out
11.3 -
Duminy to Buttler, 1 run, tossed up full on middle, nudged to long-on
11.2 -
Duminy to Root, 1 run, darted on leg, nudged with the turn behind square
11.1 -
Duminy to Root, FOUR, Root is garnering momentum now, and Duminy has to stop bowling short. Just sits up for the pull and it's been hit wide of long-on
10.6 -
C Morris to Buttler, FOUR, shocking ball with third man up. Short of length once more and wide of off. It's Buttler now who leans back and slices it over the field
10.5 -
C Morris to Root, leg byes, 1 run, Morris is hurrying them. Skids on sharply from a length to hit the pad. Going down leg easily
10.4 -
C Morris to Buttler, leg byes, 1 run, length ball angled in on leg, Buttler tries to whip it away, but is late to get the bat across, rolls away off the pad towards mid-wicket
10.4 -
C Morris to Buttler, wide, excellent take from de Kock. Wouldn't have been easy as it was a full toss and the ball landed in not very far from him. Grabs it in the left hand
10.3 -
C Morris to Root, 1 run, definite hint of reverse as the yorker lands perfectly on middle, Root rushes to dig it out and jams it to long-off
10.2 -
C Morris to Root, SIX, he's sliced it over backward point and it's gone all the way. Short ball outside off, Root arches his back and flays it brilliantly
10.1 -
C Morris to Buttler, 1 run, sharp indipper which cramps Buttler from a good length, sneaks past his inside edge and hits the back thigh to deflect in front of backward point. The umpire has detected some inside edge. Anyway
Chris Morris, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
9.6 -
Duminy to Root, SIX, now he slots it away. Rank long-hop, the kind which Root has been missing for an eternity, this time he rocks back and pummels the pull over deep mid-wicket
9.5 -
Duminy to Buttler, 1 run, short and turning down leg, I am looking for it in the stands, but it's been edged to short fine leg. Badly botched pull
Jos Buttler, right handed bat, comes to the crease
9.4 -
Duminy to Eoin Morgan, out Bowled!! Poor choice of shot and England are faltering now. Flatter arm-ball skidding on towards middle and leg, Morgan is severely cramped, still tries to dab it late and all he can do is chop it onto the stumps off the underedge. Eoin Morgan b Duminy 12(15)
Duminy to Eoin Morgan, THAT'S OUT!! Bowled!!
9.3 -
Duminy to Eoin Morgan, no run, tossed up for a change, fullish outside off, slaps the drive to extra-cover
9.2 -
Duminy to Root, 1 run, again darts it short as Root ventures out, he whips to long-on who is too quick. So much so that he misfields. They don't take advantage
9.1 -
Duminy to Eoin Morgan, 1 run, waits on the flatter ball to skid on, and dabs to short third man
8.6 -
Tahir to Eoin Morgan, 1 run, employs the reverse sweep and hits it to short third man. They bank on Rabada's fragility and pinch the run
8.5 -
Tahir to Eoin Morgan, 2 runs, swats the full toss wide of long-on, didn't hit it well enough and the fielder cuts it off
8.4 -
Tahir to Eoin Morgan, no run, this time the leg-break from a similar length on off, Morgan reads it and blocks
8.3 -
Tahir to Eoin Morgan, no run, excellent googly which lands on a perfect length, far enough from Morgan that he can't smother it with a lunge, then grips and turns past the outside edge. His back foot nearly drags out. Doesn't matter though as de Kock has fumbled
8.2 -
Tahir to Root, 1 run, flatter on off, punched to extra-cover
8.2 -
Tahir to Root, wide, he's left one alone and then breathes a sigh of relief seeing the umpire's arms go up. Darted well wide of off, marginally beyond the tramline
8.1 -
Tahir to Eoin Morgan, 1 run, quick full toss outside off, slapped to long-off
An over of utter filth proves to be the best over of the innings. Well, joint best
7.6 -
Duminy to Eoin Morgan, 1 run, holds it back beautifully seeing Morgan charge, contains him to a push down to long-off
7.5 -
Duminy to Root, 1 run, dragged down on the stumps and pulled all along the carpet to deep mid-wicket
7.4 -
Duminy to Eoin Morgan, 1 run, oh nice. Quicker and skids on rapidly towards middle, cramps Morgan for room despite him moving to leg. But he manages to get beside the ball and pat it into the off-side
7.3 -
Duminy to Root, 1 run, three short balls in a row and has got away all three times. This one's wide outside off, Root swats the pull down to long-on
7.2 -
Duminy to Root, 2 runs, goes back and powers the pull to the right of Rabada at deep mid-wicket and the pacer does well to slide across and cut it off
7.1 -
Duminy to Eoin Morgan, 1 run, drops it short outside off, Morgan backs away and slaps to deep point
Jean-Paul Duminy, right-arm off break, comes into the attack
Ideal time to get rid of Duminy's overs..
6.6 -
Tahir to Eoin Morgan, 1 run, rank long hop and Tahir gets away with it, Morgan could have placed it anywhere, instead he slaps it straight to the man at deep cover. Good start for Tahir, only 7 off the over
6.5 -
Tahir to Root, 1 run, flatter and on off, Root punches it to long-on and called for two, but sees ABD charging in and decides against it
6.4 -
Tahir to Eoin Morgan, 1 run, slower on middle and leg, Morgan eases it down to long-on
6.3 -
Tahir to Root, 1 run, quicker, fuller and around off, Root squeezes the drive out to sweeper cover
6.2 -
Tahir to Root, 2 runs, excellent bit of work from Rabada. Flighted around off, Root goes down on one knee and laps it fine, Rabada had to cover some distance, he gets there with a dive and saves two for the team
6.1 -
Tahir to Eoin Morgan, 1 run, tossed up on the stumps, Morgan leans forward and nudges it through the vacant mid-wicket region, Root wanted two but Morgan is content with one
Imran Tahir, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack
South Africa scored 83 runs in their powerplay. England are ahead in terms of runs, but have lost three wickets. The pair currently at the crease along with Buttler will be crucial to the chase...
5.6 -
Rabada to Root, no run, short delivery down leg, Root swivels and misses to connect with the pull. He expected the umpire to signal a wide for line, but umpire Paul Reiffel kept his hands down
5.5 -
Rabada to Eoin Morgan, 1 run, shortish and around off, Morgan waits and cuts it late towards short third man, Abbott dives to his left and fumbles, allow the England skipper to open his account. Rabada not happy with the effort
5.5 -
Rabada to Eoin Morgan, wide, splays it down leg, if not for a full length dive from QdK, it would have been four. Too far for Morgan to reach it, QdK pulls out an excellent save
Eoin Morgan, left handed bat, comes to the crease
5.4 -
Rabada to Stokes, out Caught by C Morris!! Stokes is on his knee. He can't believe what he has done. South Africa are delighted. That is a crucial wicket as they know how dangerous Stokes can be. A full toss on the pads, begging to be put in the stands, Stokes swings across the line and finds deep backward square. Morris didn't have to move much, stood his ground and reverse cupped it. Stokes c C Morris b Rabada 15(9) [4s-1 6s-1]
Rabada to Stokes, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
5.3 -
Rabada to Root, 1 run, second successive yorker, on off-stump, Root brings his bat down and jams it to leg, Stokes calls for a quick single and the duo make it easily in the end
5.2 -
Rabada to Stokes, 1 run, why not keep there on a more consistent basis? A yorker aimed at the base of middle, Stokes digs it out to long-on
5.1 -
Rabada to Stokes, SIX, Stokes was itching to get one off the middle and he gets one, finally. A 94-metre six. Length delivery around off, Stokes clears his front leg to get a clean swing, heaves it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum
4.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Stokes, 1 run, low full toss just outside off, Stokes gave it his all and drove down the ground. AB moves across to his right from long-on and tidies up. No point risking a second against him
4.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Root, 1 run, slightly short of good length and outside off, Root is the classical player, opens the bat face and steers it down to third man to get off the mark
4.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Stokes, 1 run, yorker length on the stumps, Stokes squeezes it to mid-on
4.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Stokes, 5 wides, wasted delivery. QdK had no chance. Dug in really short, almost near his boot, Stokes had to do nothing, just watches it sail over him and so does QdK
Joe Root, right handed bat, comes to the crease
4.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Jason Roy, out Caught by de Kock!! A superb innings comes to an end. He has kept England alive with his pyrotechnics. South Africa will be slightly relieved seeing the back of Roy. Abbott with his second wicket and by far as looked the best bowler for the Proteas. Sees Roy setting himself up for another lap over short fine, drags the length back and doesn't allow him to get under that, Roy gets it high on the bat and balloons to the left of QdK, who moves across to glove it. Replays show it was the back of the hand slower ball from Abbott. Clever stuff! Jason Roy c de Kock b Kyle Abbott 43(16) [4s-5 6s-3]
Kyle Abbott to Jason Roy, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
4.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Jason Roy, SIX, wow! Just as we thought Abbott is the best executioner of the yorker, he gets one wrong. Low full toss around off, Roy moves across, stoops low and scoops it over short fine. The pace of Abbott takes it over the rope
4.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Jason Roy, no run, Abbott is very good with his yorkers. Gets another one right, Roy can't do much, jams it back down the wicket
3.6 -
Rabada to Jason Roy, 1 run, low full toss, Roy digs it to mid-on, who is sitting right on the edge of the circle
3.5 -
Rabada to Stokes, 1 run, Rabada goes up for LBW. That would have missed leg. Wait! Umpire S Ravi gives it as runs. Another well-directed yorker from Rabada, Stokes gets his front leg out of the way, misses it by a whisker and is struck on the back pad. It was going to miss leg-stump
3.4 -
Rabada to Stokes, no run, excellent response. Quick bouncer, Stokes had to take evasive action, he sways away from the line of the delivery and drops his gloves as well. Good cricket all round
3.3 -
Rabada to Stokes, FOUR, Stokes has been sent with a license and he is not going to sit around and watch Roy go hammer and tongs. Sees the width on offer and throws the kitchen sink at it, slices it off the outer half of the bat towards third man, Morris had no chance to stop that
3.2 -
Rabada to Jason Roy, 1 run, Rabada spears in a yorker just outside off, bowled with a cross-seam, Roy clears his front leg and squeezes the drive to long-off
3.1 -
Rabada to Jason Roy, 2 runs, Rabada gets away with a full toss. Roy was better off hitting through the off-side, instead he takes the difficult option, heaves it off the inner part to deep mid-wicket
Kagiso Rabada [1.0-0-21-0] is back into the attack
2.6 -
Kyle Abbott to Jason Roy, 1 run, low full toss just outside off, Roy toe-ends the drive to long-off. England won't mind that that as he keeps strike
2.5 -
Kyle Abbott to Jason Roy, SIX, second fastest team fifty. Roy brings up the landmark with an audacious pull shot. Picked up the length so quickly, got into position, swivelled and sent into the crowd at deep square leg
2.4 -
Kyle Abbott to Stokes, 1 run, that's a brilliant yorker. Not much any batsman could do with that. Aimed at the base of off, Stokes brings his bat down and jams it to mid-off, scampers across for a quick single
Ben Stokes, left handed bat, comes to the crease
Stokes sent up. England fighting fire with fire... Remember Stokes's 257 against South Africa. Here he is...
2.3 -
Kyle Abbott to Hales, out Lbw!! Abbott goes up and umpire Paul Reiffel obliges. The carnage has a brief stop. The umpire checks for a front foot no-ball, Abbott is fine on that account. Hales hits the bat on the turf as he makes his way back to the dugout. It was a low full toss on the stumps, Hales fails to connect on the flick, is struck around the ankle, would have gone on to hit leg-stump. South Africa needed that wicket. Hales lbw b Kyle Abbott 17(7) [4s-4]
Kyle Abbott to Hales, THAT'S OUT!! Lbw!!
2.2 -
Kyle Abbott to Hales, no run, full and was there to be driven, Hales goes hard on the drive and mistimes it to mid-on
2.1 -
Kyle Abbott to Hales, FOUR, Hales says, if you can do it, I can do it as well to Roy. Shortish and around chest height, Hales gets into a good position and pulls it behind square on the leg-side, raced away to the fence
Kyle Abbott, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
1.6 -
Steyn to Jason Roy, SIX, there he goes again. Another over that costs more than 20. Already the equation has come down to 10. Length delivery on the stumps, Roy manages to get inside the line and plays the pick-up shot to perfection, goes flying over backward square for a maximum
1.5 -
Steyn to Jason Roy, FOUR, Rabada or Steyn, Roy has one way to play them tonight. If it is in his arc, he is not holding back. Good length ball just outside off, Roy hammers it over mid-off, hits the ad cushions on the bounce. Stand and deliver stuff from the England opener
1.4 -
Steyn to Hales, 1 run, good length ball on off, Hales fetches it from there and whips it in front of square on the leg-side, looked ugly but he gets a single for it
1.3 -
Steyn to Hales, FOUR, third on the trot. Steyn still struggling with his line, this is well down leg, Hales just had to get some wood on that, he tickles it fine and helps himself to another boundary
1.2 -
Steyn to Hales, FOUR, poor stuff from one of the best bowlers in the world. Another one on the pads, Hales leans forward and flicks it behind square, there was a fielder in the deep, but he could only pick the ball from the fence
1.1 -
Steyn to Hales, FOUR, shelled! These decide matches. Abbott lets one burst through his fingers. It was not a great delivery from Steyn, full and on the pads, whipped to short fine leg, Abbott moved to his left, got both hands but couldn't hang on. Steyn stays calm and doesn't utter anything, very unlike Steyn
Dale Steyn, right-arm fast, comes into the attack
0.6 -
Rabada to Jason Roy, FOUR, the best of the lot. Poses for the cameras as well. Pitched up on the stumps, Roy presents the full face of the bat and drives it down the ground, mid-on could only see it race past him to his left. Excellent start for England, 21 off it and they are up for the challenge
0.5 -
Rabada to Jason Roy, no run, on a length and slight away movement, Roy goes for the loft through the line, is undone by the late swing and is beaten on the outside edge. Much better line and length from Rabada
0.4 -
Rabada to Jason Roy, FOUR, third boundary off the over. Not a bad delivery, short of length rises up to the tummy, Roy pulls it off the front foot to the right of square leg, no chance of fine leg cutting that off
0.4 -
Rabada to Jason Roy, 5 wides, sharp bouncer. But the line is wrong from Rabada. Down leg and Roy stays inside the line and watches it sail over his left shoulder. QdK jumps up and the ball evades him, five bonus runs for England
0.3 -
Rabada to Jason Roy, no run, back of a length and skids off the surface, Roy was waiting for the length delivery, is hurried on the flick and wears it on the thigh
0.2 -
Rabada to Jason Roy, FOUR, Roy is not going to hold back. Rabada pulled the length back slightly, but there was width for Roy to play with, he slices the loft over the infield on the off-side, dribbles away to the fence
0.1 -
Rabada to Jason Roy, FOUR, straightaway! Positive intent from Roy. Fuller length and in the driving arc, Roy plants his front foot forward and tonks it to the right of mid-off, no half measures and the ball scooted away
Jason Roy and Hales are at the crease. Jason Roy is on strike. Rabada will open the attack