South Africa v England, 2015-16
Wisden's review of the first ODI, South Africa v England, 2015-16
15-Apr-2016
At Bloemfontein, February 3, 2016 (day/night). England won by 39 runs (D/L). Toss: England.
South Africa needed 150 from 99 balls when heavy rain halted their chase, after England had recorded their highest total overseas (beating 355 for five at Dubai, set as recently as November) and their second-highest in all. With de Kock at ease on 138 from just 96 deliveries, de Villiers felt his side had been on course, despite being five down. De Kock's third hundred in four one-day internationals took only 67 balls, six fewer than Buttler had needed a couple of hours earlier.England, though, had scored more consistently, against a depleted attack on a prime batting surface:for the first time in an ODI, the top eight all hit sixes, and the total of 15 was an England record. Buttler joked about the slowest of his four international hundreds, but it was still the joint-seventh-quickest for England, vindicating the decision to promote him to No. 4 after a brisk start. Buttler's first six hit the roof of the ground's operations centre, but Stokes and Ali also dropped jaws withblows over the longer, square boundaries. Behardien almost pulled off a one-handed catch in the deep with Buttler on 68. Instead, the fielding crown went to Stokes, for a running, one-handed,shoulder-high effort at deep midwicket to remove de Villiers. Replays showed part of the rope, nearwhere Stokes held on, had been pushed slightly back, and de Villiers mischievously referenced"rumours and theories" in the South African camp. But Stokes was clearly inside the playing areawhen the catch was taken. Winds had built by this stage, and Ali profited as three batsmen, includingthe well-set du Plessis, fell trying to clear the ropes - even in their designated position.Man of the Match:Q. de Kock
South Africa needed 150 from 99 balls when heavy rain halted their chase, after England had recorded their highest total overseas (beating 355 for five at Dubai, set as recently as November) and their second-highest in all. With de Kock at ease on 138 from just 96 deliveries, de Villiers felt his side had been on course, despite being five down. De Kock's third hundred in four one-day internationals took only 67 balls, six fewer than Buttler had needed a couple of hours earlier.England, though, had scored more consistently, against a depleted attack on a prime batting surface:for the first time in an ODI, the top eight all hit sixes, and the total of 15 was an England record. Buttler joked about the slowest of his four international hundreds, but it was still the joint-seventh-quickest for England, vindicating the decision to promote him to No. 4 after a brisk start. Buttler's first six hit the roof of the ground's operations centre, but Stokes and Ali also dropped jaws withblows over the longer, square boundaries. Behardien almost pulled off a one-handed catch in the deep with Buttler on 68. Instead, the fielding crown went to Stokes, for a running, one-handed,shoulder-high effort at deep midwicket to remove de Villiers. Replays showed part of the rope, nearwhere Stokes held on, had been pushed slightly back, and de Villiers mischievously referenced"rumours and theories" in the South African camp. But Stokes was clearly inside the playing areawhen the catch was taken. Winds had built by this stage, and Ali profited as three batsmen, includingthe well-set du Plessis, fell trying to clear the ropes - even in their designated position.Man of the Match:Q. de Kock