England beat South Africa by 104 runs in 1st World Cup match at the Oval

South Africa won the toss and decided to bowl against England at the Kia Oval, London today in the first match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.

Match Summary

England 311 - 8 (Jason Roy 54, Joe Root 51 , Eoin Morgan 57 , Ben Stokes 89; Lungi Ngidi 3-66, Kagiso Rabada 2-66, Imran Tahir 2-61)

South Africa 207 ( Quinton de Kock 68, Rassie van der Dussen 50;  Jofra Archer 3-27, Ben Stokes 2-12, Liam Plunkett 2-37)

Result - England won by 104 runs

Scorecard

Watch all the Match Highlights here

Ben Stokes with the bat, Ben Stokes with the ball, Ben Stokes on the field!

No question about who's the Player of the Match in the #CWC19 opener ?? #ENGvSA #WeAreEngland pic.twitter.com/2pZwa10xEt

— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) 30 May 2019

Asked to bat first, England scored a par total of 311 - 8 with Jason Roy 54, Joe Root 51 , Eoin Morgan 57 and Ben Stokes 89 the main run getters; Lungi Ngidi 3-66, Kagiso Rabada 2-66 and Imran Tahir 2-61 were the pick of the bowlers for South Africa.

In reply, England bowled the Proteas out for 207  with over 10 overs to spare - Quinton de Kock 68 and Rassie van der Dussen 50 top scoring  and with Jofra Archer 3-27, Ben Stokes 2-12, and Liam Plunkett 2-37 doing the damage with the ball for England.

Match Report – Saksham Mishra

Archer and Stokes' powerful punches daze South Africa

There was a feeling before this match that South Africa might stun the hosts in the inaugural match of the 2019 ICC World Cup to make things interesting. However, the proceedings unfolded in routine fashion as England succeeded in registering a comprehensive 104-run victory, worthy of their favourites tag.

Bowling first, South Africa got off to a sensational start with Jonny Bairstow dismissed off Imran Tahir for a golden duck on the very second ball of the English innings. Jason Roy and Joe Roots then took matters in their hand, both slamming half-centuries as the duo stitched together a 100+ partnership to provide the team a stable base.

However, both fell in quick succession. Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes then had another impressive stand but the team could never actually put their foot on the pedal whole heartedly due to the periodic fall of wickets.

Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa, taking three wickets, while Imran Tahir and Kagiso Rabada bagged two each.

In reply, Jofra Archer's opening spell broke the back of the South African chase. He dismissed Aiden Markram and skipper Faf du Plessis. Archer's steeply rising short delivery hit Hashim Amla on the head, who walked off the field as a precautionary measure against concussion.

Apart from half-centuries from Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen, there were no noteworthy performances by South African batsmen.

Liam Plunkett and Ben Stokes picked two wickets each, but Jofra Archer was the leader of the pack with three wickets at an economy of under four. Rest assured, England have found a gem who will serve them throughout the tournament and beyond

England - Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan(c), Jos Buttler(wk), Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett, Jofra Archer

South Africa - Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock(wk), Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis(c), Rassie van der Dussen, JP Duminy, Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir

©Cricket World 2019