ENG beat SA by 104 runs | England vs South Africa, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st ODI Match - Commentary

Joe Root says they would have liked more but says you always want more. Reckons the wicket was not true and says it never felt like you were always in it as the bowlers had something in it. Further adds that it has been a different wicket than they are used to. Reckons as it is a new pitch it is different. On his innings, Root says it is nice to get time in the middle and middle the ball. Says they are in a good position and need to take wickets like South Africa did.

312 is the target! You would probably feel South Africa are the favorites at the moment but the wicket is not that easy to bat. However, England's bowling line-up isn't the best. We though have to keep in mind that the South African batting line-up is way too dependent on their top order. Who will win the first game of the 2019 World Cup? Join us in a while to find out. For now, Joe Root is seen giving an interview.

The South African did not start off that well! They were way too short at the start but read the pitch really well as the game progressed. They started rolling their fingers on the ball and that is what worked for them. Especially Ngidi, he was the pick of the bowlers. He was well supported by Tahir, Rabada and Phehlukwayo. Pretorius also, did a handy job, he did not pick a wicket but did not give away a lot of runs too.

The visitors started off in the best possible manner as their idea of starting with Tahir worked. However, Root and Roy then counter-attacked and the two added a 100-plus run stand. Both got to their fifties. The two though fell in quick succession and South Africa looked to crawl back but Morgan and Stokes kept the momentum going and added yet another 100-plus run stand. When the two were batting, 340 looked possible but the wicket of the English skipper changed everything. England then started to slow down and wickets at regular intervals pulled them back. Had it not been for Stokes, the hosts may have finished below 300.

Just the 76 in the last 10 overs and England have finished way below the score they would have loved or should have got at one moment. Surely, South Africa will be the happier side heading into the break.

Kagiso Rabada to Liam Plunkett. Single to end the innings. 11 runs off the final over. The last ball is full on off, Plunkett hits it towards mid off and gets a single. ENGLAND FINISH WITH 311/8 FROM THEIR 50 OVERS.

Kagiso Rabada to Liam Plunkett. On the pads, Plunkett flicks it towards deep square leg and gets a couple.

Kagiso Rabada to Jofra Archer. Pulls hard but to the man in deep. Back of a length ball on off, Jofra whacks his pull to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Kagiso Rabada to Jofra Archer. Tremendous running this. Full on off, Jofra flicks it wide of deep mid-wicket and runs the first one hard and comes back for the second.

Kagiso Rabada to Jofra Archer. FOUR! Excellent shot! Length ball outside off, Jofra rocks onto his back foot and slashes it through covers for a boundary.

Kagiso Rabada to Liam Plunkett. Another slower ball, short in length, pulled behind square leg for a single.

Lungi Ngidi to Ben Stokes. OUT! End of an excellent knock from Stokes. It has been a brilliant comeback from South Africa. Ngidi hits the deck hard on a length. It is on off, Stokes looks to play the reverse paddle. He does not time it well and ends up hitting straight to Amla at short third man. 320 now looks far fetched here.

Lungi Ngidi to Ben Stokes. Swing and miss. Slower ball once again on off, Stokes looks to heave it over but misses.

Lungi Ngidi to Liam Plunkett. Fuller on off, Plunkett hits it over mid off and gets a run. 300 comes up for England with that single.

Lungi Ngidi to Liam Plunkett. Smart bowling this. Slower one from Ngidi. Plunkett shuffles across a bit. Ngidi sees it and bowls it wide. Liam swings his bat at it but misses. The umpire is satisfied with the ball so not a wide.

Lungi Ngidi to Ben Stokes. Fuller on off, Stokes plays it to long off and gets a run. Better from Ngidi. Stokes does not look too pleased. Don't know what the reason is.

Lungi Ngidi to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Poor start this. Comes steaming in and bowls it on the body, Stokes just helps it on its way down to the fine leg region for a boundary.

Lungi Ngidi to bowl the penultimate over.

Kagiso Rabada to Liam Plunkett. FOUR! Plunkett gets off the mark with a boundary! So what was a brilliant over till then is spoiled. Short and on the body, LP pulls it hard through backward square leg and it races away.

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. Another short one and on middle, Stokes pulls it through mid-wicket for one.

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. FOUR! The second half of the over has began well for England. This is not off the middle but Stokes gets the desired result. Short and wide outside off, Stokes slaps it but off the bottom, through covers and into the boundary. England would love a few more.

The new man in is Liam Plunkett.

Kagiso Rabada to Chris Woakes. OUT! Woakes holes out! Faf du Plessis takes his third catch of the day. Slower ball and it is on a length on middle, Woakes flat-bats it but does not get the desired elevation. It goes to Faf at long on who makes no mistake. So just the single and a wicket from the first three balls of the 48th.

Kagiso Rabada to Chris Woakes. A dot! Gold dust at this stage! Woakes makes room and then bangs it short and into the body. Woakes looks to upper cut but misses.

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. NOT OUT! It indeed is pitching outside leg! South Africa lose their only review. Rabada bowls a yorker. It sneaks under Stokes' bat as he looks to flick and hits the foot. The bowler is appealing and the umpire shakes his leg. The ball in the meantime rolls down to fine leg and the batters take a leg bye. South Africa take the review though but replays show the on-field call is the right one.

A review from South Africa for an LBW. Stokes is the man in question. Seems to be pitching outside leg. But the batsman is hobbling around in pain. Seems to have got hit on the shin. That might be painful. The physio is out in the middle.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Chris Woakes. NOT OUT! It's not a catch, it wasn't a bump ball but it hasn't carried. A very full ball on off, Woakes looks to hit it straight. He ends up chipping it back to the bowler. Phehlukwayo dives in front and it looks like he has taken it directly. Phehlukwayo does not look confident but de Kock seems sure. The umpire takes it upstairs to check whether it was a bump ball or not. Replays roll in and confirm that Woakes chipped it but Andile got it on the bounce.

Now then, is that a catch? The umpires have gone upstairs to check. The SOFT SIGNAL IS NOT OUT!

Andile Phehlukwayo to Ben Stokes. Slower ball which is shorter in length, Stokes pulls it hard to deep mid-wicket and gets just a run.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Chris Woakes. Fuller on middle, Chris nudges it to long on and gets a run.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Chris Woakes. Fuller on off, Woakes drives it wide of sweeper cover and gets a couple.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Chris Woakes. WIDE! Third one off the over. Looks to bowl a slower one outside off, Woakes looks to hit it but misses.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Ben Stokes. On the pads, Ben turns it behind square and gets one.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Ben Stokes. WIDE! Once again Phehlukwayo misses his line and bowls it down the leg side. Wide signalled.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Chris Woakes. Good fielding by Amla. He has made up for the misfield he committed early in the day. Length ball on off, Woakes drives it towards point. Amla there dives to his right and keeps it down to one.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Chris Woakes. WIDE! The ball probably slipped out of his hand. It is way, way outside the tramline. On the edge of the pitch actually. Woakes leaves it alone and wide signalled by the umpire.

Kagiso Rabada to Chris Woakes. Length ball on off, Woakes pulls it towards deep mid-wicket and gets only a run. 10 runs off the over.

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. Full on middle, Stokes nudges it to long on and gets a run.

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. WIDE! Misses his mark with the attempted bouncer here. It is on the leg side, Stokes looks to pull but misses. The umpire waits for a while and then signals it as wide.

Kagiso Rabada to Chris Woakes. Back of length on off, Woakes punches it wide of cover for a single.

Kagiso Rabada to Chris Woakes. FOUR! Rabada bowls it short outside off, Woakes frees his arms and slashes it over backward point for a boundary.

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. Length ball on off, Ben strokes it towards cover for a single.

Kagiso Rabada to Chris Woakes. Good length ball on off, Woakes drives it uppishly over cover for a single.

Kagiso Rabada is back for his final spell. 7-0-36-1 so far. He has a slip in place. Rarely do you see a slip in the death overs.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Ben Stokes. Good running! A couple to end but just 5 from Phehlukwayo's over. South Africa would take that any day. Full and on middle, Stokes works it with soft hands towards mid-wicket. It is the longer side of the ground and the batsmen run two.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Chris Woakes. Another single! South Africa won't mind this. Short and on the body, it is pulled towards fine leg for one.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Ben Stokes. Well kept by de Kock and he almost produced a run out opportunity! This is down the leg side, Stokes flicks it fine. De Kock dives to his right and makes a half stop. He then gets up quickly and runs after it. The batsmen think of a second but then seeing the effort bail out.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Chris Woakes. Just a single now! This is guided past point and Woakes gets to the other end.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Chris Woakes. On the shorter side and it is just outside off. Woakes looks to cut but that shot is not on. He ends up chopping it to the keeper.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Chris Woakes. Good length and on off, Woakes keeps it out.

Andile Phehlukwayo is back into the attack. 6-0-30-1 his figures so far.

The new man is Chris Woakes.

Lungi Ngidi to Moeen Ali. OUT! Another stunning catch! This time it is the skipper, Faf du Plessis. He made that look so easy. Outstanding! Ngidi gets another important breakthrough. It is the slower one and it is full. Moeen hits it off the middle but flat towards wide long on. Faf there covers ground quickly to his left and then with a dive, takes it brilliantly. England are losing their way here. South Africa into the bowling all-rounders.

Lungi Ngidi to Ben Stokes. Toe-end! Another slower one on off, Stokes looks to reverse sweep the pacer. He is way too early in the shot. It goes towards cover and the batters take one.

Lungi Ngidi to Moeen Ali. Does connect this time but not off the middle. It goes towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Lungi Ngidi to Moeen Ali. Another swing, another miss! This time it is a length ball and slower outside off. Ali looks to go over cover but does not connect.

Lungi Ngidi to Moeen Ali. Well bowled! Loopy slower one outside off, Moeen looks to go downtown but misses.

Lungi Ngidi to Ben Stokes. Extra bounce there! Length and on off, it takes off. Stokes does well to play it with soft hands towards backward point for one.

Imran Tahir to Moeen Ali. A dot to end Tahir's spell! An effort he can be happy with. 10-0-61-2 is how his figures read today. He ends with a quicker ball outside off, Ali looks to push it but gets beaten.

Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes. The googly and it is on the shorter side, Stokes goes back and slaps it through covers for one.

Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes. Another couple! Stokes works this full toss in the similar region. They take one and go for the second. The fielder fires it to the bowler who deflects it onto the stumps but the batter is in.

Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes. Gives it a lot of air, Stokes nicely works it in the gap on the mid-wicket region and takes two.

Imran Tahir to Moeen Ali. Flatter and outside off, Moeen goes back and pushes it through covers for one.

Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes. On the off pole, Stokes pushes it towards mid off for a quick run.

Lungi Ngidi to Moeen Ali. A dot to end a top over by Ngidi. On off, Moeen guides it to point.

Lungi Ngidi to Ben Stokes. Shortish and it bounces a touch extra. Stokes does well to get on top of the bounce and guide it towards point for one. 250 comes up for the hosts. 8 overs to go after this, how many more can they add?

Lungi Ngidi to Ben Stokes. Slower one but it goes wrong! It is way outside off, left alone. Wided.

Lungi Ngidi to Moeen Ali. Slower ball on the stumps, Ali gets off the mark by pushing it towards covers.

Lungi Ngidi to Moeen Ali. Back of a length on off, Ali guides it to point.

Moeen Ali is the new batsman in.

Lungi Ngidi to Jos Buttler. OUT! DRAGS IT ON! Ngidi with the big, big wicket. What could have been a possible 350, now comes down to 320 or so. The slower short ball does the trick for Ngidi. It is short and it is on middle, Buttler looks to pull but the ball does not bounce as much as Jos expected it to. It hits the inside edge and then clatters into the stumps behind. They do check for the front foot but replay shows it is fine. Jos fails to make an impact and once again, South Africa manage to pick a wicket at a crucial time.

Lungi Ngidi to Ben Stokes. On the bounce! Stokes hits it hard down towards long on. The fielder there moves quickly to his right and keeps it down to one.

Imran Tahir to Jos Buttler. Once again bowls it short outside off, Buttler cuts it wide of third man and gets a couple. 11 runs off the over. It has come without any risk being taken.

Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes. Follows it up with a single down to long on.

Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Short, wide and punished. Tahir is guilty of giving width to Stokes. He accepts the invitation to hit it and slashes it through covers. Andile Phehlukwayo runs to his right in the deep and puts in a desperate dive to stop the ball from going to the fence but it goes in vain as the ball beats him to the fence.

Imran Tahir to Jos Buttler. Floated on off, Buttler plays it to cover and gets to the other end.

Imran Tahir to Jos Buttler. Low full toss on off, Buttler plays a stylish flick between deep mid-wicket and long on and gets a brace.

Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes. Straightaway comes down the track and hits it hard but there is a man at long on so he'll just get a run.

Powerplay 3 has been signaled! Now a maximum of 5 players can be placed outside the ring till the end of the innings.

Lungi Ngidi to Ben Stokes. On off, Ben strokes it to long off and keeps the strike with a single.

Lungi Ngidi to Jos Buttler. Length ball on off, Buttler stands tall and punches it wide of cover for one.

Lungi Ngidi to Jos Buttler. Back of a length ball, Buttler pulls it wide of Amla at mid-wicket. He looks to stop it with a dive but fails in his attempt to do so. The batsmen get two.

Lungi Ngidi to Ben Stokes. Slower ball on off, it is bowled at 112 kph. Stokes does well to connect his pull towards mid-wicket and gets one.

Lungi Ngidi to Jos Buttler. Length ball on off, Jos flicks it to mid-wicket and gets a single.

Lungi Ngidi to Jos Buttler. Poor ball to begin with. He bowls it on the pads, Buttler flicks it fine down towards fine leg and they run the first one hard which allows them to take two. Good running this.

Lungi Ngidi is back for another burst. His figures so far 6-0-45-0.

Imran Tahir to Jos Buttler. The googly to end! Buttler picks it and works it through mid-wicket for one.

Imran Tahir to Jos Buttler. Drags his length back and bowls it on off, Buttler pushes it to covers.

Imran Tahir to Jos Buttler. Very full on off, Buttler squeezes it through covers for a brace.

Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single.

Imran Tahir to Jos Buttler. Just wide! A tremendous effort from Tahir. He bowls it slower through the air on middle, the ball sticks in the surface a little. Buttler looks to push it but it flies off the inner half, past the diving and outstretched hand of Tahir and down to long on for one.

Imran Tahir to Jos Buttler. Floats it up on off, Buttler guides it to point.

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. A dot to end! Slower bouncer and outside off, Stokes lets it be as he feels it is a wide. The umpire feels different.

Kagiso Rabada to Jos Buttler. Buttler shuffles across and Rabada bangs it short. He pulls it through mid-wicket for one.

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. Slower and shorter outside off, Stokes guides it through point and a run is taken.

Kagiso Rabada to Jos Buttler. Good length and on off, Buttler pushes it through covers and for a single.

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. Short and on the body, Stokes plays a controlled pull towards fine leg for one.

Kagiso Rabada to Jos Buttler. A direct hit and Stokes was a goner! Markram was the man again and he is disappointed he missed. Back of a length on off, Buttler taps it towards cover and sets off. Markram runs in and underarms it diving forward towards the striker's end. He misses though.

Kagiso Rabada is back for another spell.

Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes. Flighted ball on off, Stokes strokes it to covers. A successful over by Tahir comes to an end. The purpose for bringing him on was achieved.

Jos Buttler replaces his skipper out in the middle.

Imran Tahir to Eoin Morgan. OUT! In the air... and what a catch by Markram! Excellent. South Africa needed something special to break the stand and Markram has produced it. Tahir is the one who the wicket will be credited to but Markram should be the one getting all the praise. Morgan dances down the track and Tahir bowls the googly. Eoin looks to clear long on but the ball does not go off the middle. For a second though, it seems like it would fall short of the fielder at long on but Markram runs in, dives forward and takes a brilliant catch. A very good innings by Morgan comes to an end. He though will be disappointed, he did not make it big. England too would have loved for him to stay longer. South Africa need to keep taking wickets to stem the run flow.

Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes. A yorker on off, Stokes jams it out towards cover for one.

Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes. Stokes misses out on a boundary opportunity! A full toss, Stokes looks to go big but he only gets an inside edge onto his boot.

Imran Tahir to Eoin Morgan. Shorter and on middle, this is hit through covers for another single.

Imran Tahir to Eoin Morgan. Flatter and on off, this is hit wide of long off for a brace.

Imran Tahir is back into the attack!

Dwaine Pretorius to Ben Stokes. Length ball on off, Stokes cuts it straight to the man at point.

Dwaine Pretorius to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Perfect execution! Stokes gets to his fifty with a brilliant shot. Pretorius bowls it full on off, Ben gets down on one knee and plays a delightful reverse paddle over the vacant slip region and into the third man fence for a boundary to get to his 16th ODI fifty. This is just brilliant stuff from the English all-rounder.

The keeper walks upto the stumps now! This would probably stop Stokes using his feet.

Dwaine Pretorius to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Excellent shot! Good length ball on off, Stokes comes down the track and hits it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Dwaine Pretorius to Ben Stokes. Good length ball on leg, Stokes looks to play the paddle by moving across the line but he misses.

Dwaine Pretorius to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Slower ball gone wrong! Pretorius bowls it full outside off, Stokes stretches out and smashes it over cover for a boundary. Stokes is joining the party now.

Dwaine Pretorius to Eoin Morgan. Good length ball on middle, Morgan runs it down to third man for a run. It has started to drizzle here. Let's hope it is just a passing shower.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Ben Stokes. OHHHHH! How has that missed the off pole? Andile bowls a yorker which is just outside off, Stokes looks to jam it out but his bat comes down late and the ball goes just past the off pole.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Eoin Morgan. Slower short ball on the body, Morgan mistimes the pull shot towards fine leg for another run. 200 up for England. 15 overs to go after this.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Ben Stokes. Stokes again uses his feet but Phehlukwayo bangs it short. Stokes hits it through covers for one.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Ben Stokes. Now a couple! This is on the pads, Stokes whips it towards fine leg. Rabada makes a good stop but the batsmen take two.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Ben Stokes. EDGY FOUR! England won't care! Stokes dances down the track and Andile bowls it outside off. Stokes swings but the ball flies off the outside edge and down to the third man fence. England may have decided to step on the gas now.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Ben Stokes. Wide outside off, Stokes throws his bat at it but it goes off the bottom edge to short third man.

Drinks Break! After losing two wickets in quick succession, England have once again steadied the ship, courtesy their skipper, Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes. The duo have added 81 runs for the 4th wicket and are looking very good out in the middle. Morgan has got to his fifty in the process. South Africa have not been able to turn the screws after getting rid of Root and Roy. They need quick wickets here if they want to restrict England under 320.

Dwaine Pretorius to Ben Stokes. Another length and outside off, it is hit through covers for another run.

Dwaine Pretorius to Eoin Morgan. 4th single in the over as Morgan jams it out through covers.

Dwaine Pretorius to Ben Stokes. Stokes once again uses his feet but the length is quite short. Ben pushes it to mid off for another single.

Dwaine Pretorius to Eoin Morgan. Back of a length on off, Morgan guides it towards short third man for one.

Dwaine Pretorius to Ben Stokes. Once again it is angled into the body of the batsman, Stokes pushes it down to long on for a single.

Dwaine Pretorius to Ben Stokes. Stokes dances down the track but DP bowls it very full on the pads. Stokes works it to mid-wicket.

Dwaine Pretorius is back!

Andile Phehlukwayo to Eoin Morgan. Length ball outside off, Morgan cuts it straight to the man at point.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Eoin Morgan. Good length ball on off, Morgan blocks it.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Eoin Morgan. Fuller on off, Morgan drives it straight to mid off.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Eoin Morgan. FOUR! Fifty comes up for the skipper with that boundary. He has been brilliant today. He gets to his 46th ODI fifty with an excellent pull through square leg. His first fifty as skipper in the World Cup.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Eoin Morgan. Good length ball on off, Morgan tucks it to the man at mid-wicket.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Ben Stokes. Fuller on off, Stokes drives it towards mid on and gets a single.

Aiden Markram to Eoin Morgan. A dot to end but a productive over for England. 11 from this as England had started to slow down. Short and outside off, Morgan cuts it to point.

Aiden Markram to Eoin Morgan. SIX! HUGE! Markram slows it up and bowls it on middle, Morgan brings the slog sweep out and hits it into the mid-wicket stand. Second boundary in the over.

Aiden Markram to Eoin Morgan. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Aiden Markram to Ben Stokes. Now eases this down to long off and gets to the other end.

Aiden Markram to Ben Stokes. FOUR! In the air... but just wide! That should break the shackles for England! Full and on off, Stokes hits it uppishly but wide of long off. Rabada there runs to his right and then dives but it is out of reach. A much-needed boundary.

Aiden Markram to Ben Stokes. Fired on the pads, Stokes looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Eoin Morgan. A dot to end! So just the extra in the over. Length and on off, Morgan drives it to covers.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Eoin Morgan. No run from the bat in the over so far! Back of a length and into the body of the batsman. It is worked to mid-wicket.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Eoin Morgan. Well bowled again! Slower one and on middle, Morgan pushes it back to the bowler.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Eoin Morgan. Down the leg side, Morgan looks to pull but misses. Wided. Morgan would feel he has missed out there. A little bat on it and it would have been a boundary.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Eoin Morgan. Another dot as Morgan finds mid-wicket with this flick.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Eoin Morgan. Well bowled! AP sees Morgan dance down the track and bowls it short and outside off. Not very short but away from Eoin's arc. He looks to hit it through the off side but misses.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Eoin Morgan. Good length and on off, Morgan blocks it out.

Andile Phehlukwayo is back into the attack.

Aiden Markram to Eoin Morgan. A single to end! Another good Markram overs comes to an end. Morgan goes back and pushes it down to long on for one.

Aiden Markram to Eoin Morgan. Another dot! Short and outside off, Morgan cuts it to point.

Aiden Markram to Ben Stokes. Loopy ball on off, this is eased down to long off for a single.

Aiden Markram to Eoin Morgan. Once again Markram fires it outside off, Morgan looks to cut but ends up chopping it to point for a single.

Aiden Markram to Eoin Morgan. Flatter and on middle, Morgan makes room and hits it to covers.

Aiden Markram to Eoin Morgan. On the stumps, Morgan lunges and defends.

Imran Tahir to Eoin Morgan. Another single to end! This is flighted on off, Morgan hits it through covers and gets to the other end. Imran Tahir has been slightly expensive today by his standards that is. He has gone for 34 in his 6 overs. Also, 7 comes from this one.

Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes. This is floated up on middle, Stokes works it through mid-wicket and takes one.

Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Slightly short and Stokes pounces on it. It is on off, Stokes goes back and punches it through covers. It races away.

Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes. Nicely bowled! Slows it up and lands it on off, Stokes awkwardly defends it away.

Imran Tahir to Eoin Morgan. Very full outside off, Morgan jams it down to long off for one.

Imran Tahir to Eoin Morgan. On the pads, Morgan works it towards short fine leg. They think of a run but then don't.

Imran Tahir is back!

Aiden Markram to Eoin Morgan. Tossed up on off, this time Morgan hits it wide of cover and to long on for a single.

Aiden Markram to Eoin Morgan. Flighted on off, Morgan finds the man at cover with his drive.

Aiden Markram to Eoin Morgan. Very full on off, Morgan plays it to the right of bowler. Markram moves to his right and stops the single.

Aiden Markram to Eoin Morgan. Short on off, Morgan cuts it but finds Amla at point. They don't take the risk there.

Aiden Markram to Eoin Morgan. Flighted on off, Morgan pushes it back to the keeper.

Aiden Markram to Ben Stokes. Starts with a short ball on off and middle, Stokes strokes it wide of sweeper cover and gets a single.

Aiden Markram to have a go with the ball now.

JP Duminy to Eoin Morgan. Reverse sweep now! Morgan hits it hard towards Ngidi at backward point. He makes a good diving stop to his right, it is not clean but saves two for his side. 10 from this one and 23 from the last two.

JP Duminy to Eoin Morgan. FOUR! Swept and swept nicely! It is on the pads, Morgan says thank you very much and hits it fine on the leg side for a boundary.

JP Duminy to Ben Stokes. Floats it up on off, Stokes stays leg side of the delivery, looks to go inside out over covers but hits it very straight and a single results towards long off.

JP Duminy to Eoin Morgan. Short ball and it has been slapped hard towards sweeper cover but just for a single.

JP Duminy to Ben Stokes. Flatter and on the pads, Stokes nudges it through mid-wicket and another single results. 150 is up for England.

JP Duminy to Eoin Morgan. On the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.

Lungi Ngidi to Ben Stokes. Good delivery to end! It is the slower one and it lands on off, it moves away after pitching. Stokes looks to defend but the ball goes past the outside edge. It bounces just in front of de Kock who does well to stop it. So just the single from the last three balls but still a very good over for England.

Lungi Ngidi to Eoin Morgan. The slower one on off, Morgan eases it through covers for a run.

Lungi Ngidi to Eoin Morgan. Full and on off, better line and length from Ngidi. It is driven to mid on.

Lungi Ngidi to Eoin Morgan. SIX! Back-to-back maximums! Easy this for Morgan. It is short but bounces at a good height for Morgan. He rocks back and helps it on its way over the fine leg fence. 12 from the first three balls. With that hit he gets to 7000 runs in ODIs.

Lungi Ngidi to Eoin Morgan. SIX! He has picked the bones out of this one! Lovely shot. Dances down the track and makes it into a full ball. Morgan then smashes it over long off for a biggie.

Lungi Ngidi to Eoin Morgan. BEATEN! Loose shot! This is on a length and outside off, Morgan goes after it but the length is not quite there. He gets beaten.

JP Duminy to Ben Stokes. On middle and leg, Ben flicks it but straight to the man at mid-wicket.

JP Duminy to Eoin Morgan. Morgan nudges this flighted ball to long off and rotates the strike.

JP Duminy to Ben Stokes. Tossed up on off, Ben milks it to long off and gets a single.

JP Duminy to Ben Stokes. Floated on off, Stokes pushes it back to the bowler.

JP Duminy to Ben Stokes. On the pads, Stokes turns it behind square and gets a couple.

JP Duminy to Ben Stokes. This is flatter and on off, Stokes pushes it back to the bowler.

JP Duminy is on!

Lungi Ngidi to Eoin Morgan. In the air but safe. Good length ball on the pads, Morgan looks to defend but he almost chips it back to the bowler. Luckily for him it is well short of the bowler.

Lungi Ngidi to Eoin Morgan. The length is the same again, Morgan plays it straight to mid off this time.

Lungi Ngidi to Eoin Morgan. Full again, Morgan looks to drive it past mid on this time but hits it straight to him.

Lungi Ngidi to Eoin Morgan. Follows it up with a solid defense from the crease.

Lungi Ngidi to Eoin Morgan. FOUR! Glorious! Full on off and middle, Morgan plays a textbook straight drive. It goes past the mid off fielder and races away to the fence. Morgan holds the pose for the cameras.

Lungi Ngidi to Ben Stokes. Bowls it on a length just outside off, Stokes runs it down to third man and gets a single.

Lungi Ngidi is back into the attack.

Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes. Very full on the pads, it is flicked through square leg for one.

Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes. From around the wicket, it lands on middle, Stokes pushes it to mid-wicket.

Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes. Good batting! Works it wide of the fielder at deep mid-wicket and two is taken.

Imran Tahir to Eoin Morgan. Gives it a lot of air but it is very full on off, it is eased down to long off for one.

Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes. Very full on off, Stokes strokes it down to long off for another single.

Imran Tahir to Eoin Morgan. Flatter and on the pads, Morgan works it through mid-wicket for a single. This is what we will be seeing for a little while now from England.

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. Length and around off, Stokes opens the face of the bat and guides it to backward point.

Kagiso Rabada to Eoin Morgan. Had Markram picked the ball up, it could have been close. Length and on off, Morgan defends it towards cover and the batters go for a quick run. Markram gets to the ball quickly but fails to pick it up.

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. A full toss on off, Stokes works it towards mid-wicket. His one hand coms off the handle. A single taken.

Kagiso Rabada to Eoin Morgan. Short and it is on Morgan's body. He looks to work it on the leg side but the ball hits the glove and rolls towards square leg for a single.

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. Back of a length and it is on off, Stokes with the angle, guides it down to third man and takes a single.

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. Well fielded! Full and on off, Stokes goes too hard at it, the ball goes off the inner half towards mid on where the fielder makes a diving stop.

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. Down the leg side, the batter looks to flick but misses. Wided.

Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes. Flighted on the pads, Stokes flicks it to mid-wicket and gets a single. He will keep the strike.

Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes. On the stumps, Stokes blocks it off the front foot.

Imran Tahir to Eoin Morgan. Short again, Morgan punches it towards sweeper cover and gets a single.

Imran Tahir to Eoin Morgan. Shorter on the body, once again Morgan blocks it.

Imran Tahir to Eoin Morgan. Leg spinner on middle and off, Eoin defends it.

Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes. Floats it on middle and off, Stokes strokes it towards mid on and gets a single.

Imran Tahir is back on! Faf du Plessis senses the opportunity to go on top of the game. He is eager for another wicket and gets the leggie on.

Kagiso Rabada to Eoin Morgan. BEAUTY TO END! This one starts on middle and then moves away just a little. Morgan looks to defend it off the front foot but the ball whizzes past the outside edge.

Kagiso Rabada to Eoin Morgan. Lands it on a length and on off, Morgan lunges and keeps it out.

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. Stokes is off the mark! It is on the pads, he works it through square leg and takes one.

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. Good length again and angling away from the left-hander from off. It is left alone.

Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes. Good length and on off, Stokes lunges and defends it onto the ground.

Ben Stokes walks out to bat next.

Kagiso Rabada to Joe Root. OUT! CAUGHT! Rabada strikes on the very first ball of his new spell. Excellent bowling change by Faf du Plessis. Both the set batsmen are now back in the hut. Root too departs after getting to a half ton. Not a great shot this. It is on a length and just outside off, Root leans looks to stroke it on the up but ends up playing away from his body. Hence, it goes uppishly towards point where Duminy takes an easy catch. Rabada is delighted. South Africa right back in the game with two wickets in the space of 4 balls.

Kagiso Rabada is back on now!

Andile Phehlukwayo to Eoin Morgan. FOUR! Off the mark and in some style! Length ball on off, Morgan gets on top of the ball and drives it gloriously through covers for a boundary.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Eoin Morgan. Good length ball outside off, Morgan leaves it alone to begin his innings.

Eoin Morgan walks out to the middle. It is the England skipper's 200th ODI game for England. Will it be a memorable one for him?

Andile Phehlukwayo to Jason Roy. OUT! How many times have we seen Roy get to his fifty and throw it away and how often has Phehlukwayo given South Africa the breakthough? Phehlukwayo bangs it in short and Roy who has played the pull short so well today miscues one. He top edges it and it goes up to the right of mid off. Faf du Plessis moves to his right and takes an easy catch. Jason Roy must be kicking himself that he has not converted this into a big one. He was looking very good out in the middle and one might feel this wicket has come against the run of play. South Africa will take it gladly though.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Jason Roy. FOUR! That was four the moment it left the bat. Full on middle and leg, Roy smashes it through long on. There is a man at long on but he does not move an inch.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Joe Root. On the pads now, Root turns it to fine leg and gets an easy single.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Joe Root. On off and middle, Root flicks it to the man at mid-wicket.

Dwaine Pretorius to Joe Root. A bit of a misfield and Root gets to his half ton. 'ROOOOOTTTTT' shouts the crowd here. He raises his bat to acknowledge the applause. His 31st in this format. He flicks this towards mid-wicket where the fielder does not stop it cleanly and a run is taken.

Dwaine Pretorius to Joe Root. Good length on off, Root blocks it out.

Dwaine Pretorius to Joe Root. The batsman has driven it through mid on.

Dwaine Pretorius to Jason Roy. Nicely played but just for a single. His fifty does come up this time. He raises his bat for the second time and the crowd cheers for the second time. His 15th in this format and 4th consecutive one. He gets there by flicking it down to long on for one. He looks all set to make it big here. Also, the 100-run stand is up between the duo, they are laying the foundation for a big score.

Dwaine Pretorius to Jason Roy. Slower one, that seems to have stuck in the surface. Roy is early in the flick but it goes all along the ground to mid-wicket.

Dwaine Pretorius to Jason Roy. Good length and on off, Roy lunges and pushes it to covers.

DRINKS! So England are going along really well after the early blow. Root and Roy seem to be timing the ball nicely and their partnership is laying the foundation for a big score. The English side will hope, the two can continue in the same manner. South Africa on the other hand, have bowled a little too short. They need to come up with something new and first break this partnership and then take a couple more. Who will dominate after the break?

Andile Phehlukwayo to Jason Roy. 100 comes up for England. It is on the pads, Roy looks to flick it but it goes off his thigh pad down to the fine leg region. He takes a run and there is a slight confusion as Roy raises his bat in appreciation as the scorecard scores he has got to his fifty but Dharmasena signals it as leg bye. Roy has a word with the umpire but it is all in good spirit. He will have to wait for his fifty.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Joe Root. Safe! No, he is not short. The dive has saved Root there. Good length ball on off, Root plays it wide of mid on and takes a quick single. Rabada there moves to his left and has a shy at the bowler's end. He hits it and the umpire just to be sure takes it upstairs. Replay rolls in and it confirms Root was comfortably in.

Direct hit! Is Root short? The umpire has taken it upstairs to check. Root looks relaxed.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Joe Root. Length ball on off, Root once again drives it to mid off.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Joe Root. Full around off, Root drives it beautifully but straight to mid off.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Jason Roy. Angles this one into the middle pole, Roy pushes it to long on and gets to the other end.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Joe Root. A good bouncer there! It is at head height and just outside off, Root looks to pull but does not time it. It goes to the right of mid-wicket and a single is taken.

Dwaine Pretorius to Jason Roy. Back of a length ball on off, Roy blocks it off the back foot to see off the over.

Dwaine Pretorius to Joe Root. Better length this. It is on a good length on the off stump line. Root looks to play it on the off side but it goes towards fine leg off the inner half. He gets one.

Dwaine Pretorius to Joe Root. Length ball on off, Root punches it wide of sweeper cover and gets two.

Dwaine Pretorius to Jason Roy. Now flicks the next ball to deep mid-wicket and gets a single. Roy gets to 48.

Dwaine Pretorius to Jason Roy. FOUR! Nice shot! Full on off, Roy gets under it and lofts it over the mid off fielder. It was a slower ball from Pretorius but he could not deceive Roy.

Dwaine Pretorius to Joe Root. Short on off, Root pulls it to deep mid-wicket and gets a single.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Joe Root. Full on off, Root drives it straight but Phehlukwayo does well to get his hand to it and take the pace off the ball. Mid on runs behind and they just get one.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Joe Root. Full on middle and off, Root drives it to the man at mid on.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Jason Roy. Fuller on off, Roy defends it onto the ground. The ball goes over Phehlukwayo and wide of mid off which allows them to take a run.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Jason Roy. Once again the length is short, Roy this time pulls it to mid on.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Joe Root. Length ball on off, Root punches it to sweeper cover and gets one.

Andile Phehlukwayo to Jason Roy. Starts with a slightly shorter ball on off, Roy has no problem pulling it to deep mid-wicket and getting a run. The ploy from South Africa has been clear, they are looking to bowl short but it has not been short enough and it has not troubled the batsmen.

Andile Phehlukwayo is on now!

Dwaine Pretorius to Jason Roy. Nice running! Length ball on off, Roy drops it towards cover and takes a very quick single to see off the over.

Dwaine Pretorius to Jason Roy. Length ball on off, Roy just taps it to the man at point.

Dwaine Pretorius to Joe Root. Length ball on off, Root turns it away to square leg and rotates the strike.

Dwaine Pretorius to Jason Roy. Slower ball on middle, Roy just strokes it to long on and gets to the other end.

Dwaine Pretorius to Joe Root. Outside off on a length, Root just eases it down to third man and gets a single.

Dwaine Pretorius to Joe Root. Full on off, Root plays a nice flick but finds the man at mid-wicket.

Kagiso Rabada to Jason Roy. FOUR! Beautifully played. Rabada bowls it slightly shorter. Roy waits on his back foot and plays a short-arm jab pull through mid-wicket for a boundary. Spoils a good over.

Kagiso Rabada to Jason Roy. On the off stump line, Roy plays a solid front foot defense to it.

Kagiso Rabada to Jason Roy. Length ball on the stumps, Roy takes no risk and defends it onto the ground.

Kagiso Rabada to Jason Roy. In the air but safe. Length ball outside off, Jason cuts it uppishly wide of third man and gets a couple.

Kagiso Rabada to Jason Roy. Ouch! Right on the box. That is a painful blow. Length ball pitching outside off and it comes in. Roy looks to defend but misses and the ball hits him on the box.

Kagiso Rabada to Joe Root. Length ball on off, Root pulls it to deep mid-wicket and gets one.

Dwaine Pretorius to Jason Roy. Now once again bowls it on a length, Roy blocks it. So just one bad ball in the over.

Dwaine Pretorius to Jason Roy. FOUR! Yes, he does go big. Pretorius bowls it short, Roy gets on his back foot and pulls it over mid-wicket. The ball bounces before the ropes and goes away for a boundary. That releases all the pressure that was building.

Dwaine Pretorius to Jason Roy. Four dots in a row. Will Roy go big now? Dwaine bowls it full on off, Roy drives it straight to mid off now.

Dwaine Pretorius to Jason Roy. Length ball around off. It makes a good sound as the ball hits the bat but the drive is straight to the fielder at cover.

Dwaine Pretorius to Jason Roy. Back of a length ball on middle, Roy taps it to backward point.

Dwaine Pretorius to Jason Roy. Full around off, Roys pushes it to mid off. Pretorius dives to his left to stop it but cannot.

Kagiso Rabada to Joe Root. A dot to end! Full and on off, Root mistimes his drive to mid off.

Kagiso Rabada to Jason Roy. The inside edge saves Roy there because had he missed it, he was plumb LBW! Rabada goes for a yorker but ends up bowling a full toss. It tails back in a little. Roy looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball rolls towards third man for one.

Kagiso Rabada to Joe Root. Slightly shorter on off, Root pushes it towards cover and takes one. This is lovely batting from Root.

Kagiso Rabada to Joe Root. A couple now! On the pads, Root works it wide of the fielder at deep square leg and takes two.

Kagiso Rabada to Joe Root. FOUR! Delightful stroke, the on-drive! Probably the toughest shot to play in the game. On off and it is slightly fuller. Root strokes it past the diving mid on fielder and it races away.

Kagiso Rabada to Joe Root. Back of a length on off, Root stands tall and defends it.

Powerplay 2 has been signaled! Now 4 fielders can be placed outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over.

Dwaine Pretorius to Joe Root. Good length ball on off, Root plays an easy pull to square leg and keeps the strike with a single.

Dwaine Pretorius to Jason Roy. Back of a length ball on the body, Jason pulls it to fine leg and gets to the other end.

Dwaine Pretorius to Jason Roy. Play and a miss. Roy looks to unsettle Pretorius. He comes down the track and looks to hit it straight. The ball moves away slightly after pitching and Roy misses his shot.

Dwaine Pretorius to Joe Root. On the pads, Root flicks it to to the left of fine leg and gets one.

Dwaine Pretorius to Joe Root. Fuller on off, Root just eases his push to point.

Dwaine Pretorius to Joe Root. Starts with a length ball on middle, Root flicks it wide of fine leg and gets a couple.

Dwaine Pretorius is introduced into the attack.

Kagiso Rabada to Joe Root. A single to end another decent over for the hosts. Root works this with soft hands towards mid on and gets to the other end.

Kagiso Rabada to Joe Root. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Kagiso Rabada to Joe Root. FOUR! Poor effort in the deep by Ngidi. Can't blame him though, he would be tired after his spell and we could see that in the effort. Short and on middle, Root gets on top of the bounce and pulls it all along the ground towards backward square leg. Ngidi runs to his left and then instead of bending down, looks to stop it with his leg but fails to do so. That also brings up the 50-run stand between the two. A much-needed one after being rocked early. The two need to carry on though.

Kagiso Rabada to Joe Root. Back of a length on middle, Root goes back and works it to mid-wicket.

Kagiso Rabada to Jason Roy. Good running and it brings the 50 up for England. It has come up in quick time. On middle, Roy pushes it wide of mid on and gets to the other end.

Kagiso Rabada to Jason Roy. Length and on off, Roy guides it to point.

Lungi Ngidi to Joe Root. Root would feel he misses out there! Ngidi bowls it short and wide outside off, Root cuts it but finds cover-point. He loves it there and he knows he should have put that away.

Lungi Ngidi to Joe Root. Back of a length on off, Root stands tall and guides it to cover-point.

Lungi Ngidi to Jason Roy. Brilliant fielding! Duminy saves at least 2 for his side there. Short and outside off, Roy cuts it towards point. JP there dives to his left and makes a half-stop with one hand. Can't stop the single though.

Lungi Ngidi to Jason Roy. FOUR! Stand and deliver! Lovely placement! Another slower one but this is slightly fuller and on off. Roy picks it, waits for it, hits it past the diving short cover and through wide mid off for a boundary.

Lungi Ngidi to Joe Root. Very smart bowling! Rolls his fingers on this delivery and it is bowled at 117 KPH. Root is foxed by the lack of pace. He is a touch early in the defense. It goes off the inner half towards the leg side for one.

Lungi Ngidi to Joe Root. Poor shot by Root! Lapse of concentration maybe. It is on a length and way outside off, Root does not need to play at those but he goes fishing for it. Luckily, he gets beaten.

Kagiso Rabada to Jason Roy. A good nut to end! This is speared in on off, Roy is rooted inside his crease but manages to block it out. So an excellent comeback after going for a boundary on the very first ball.

Kagiso Rabada to Jason Roy. On the bounce! Rabada continues landing it on a length and it is on off, Roy looks to hit it on the up but there is extra bounce. It goes off the higher portion, uppishly but on the bounce to mid off.

Kagiso Rabada to Jason Roy. Another length ball and once again the line is very good, just outside off. Roy shoulders arms to it once again.

Kagiso Rabada to Jason Roy. Good length and it is just outside off, Roy lets it be. Good carry also to the keeper.

Kagiso Rabada to Jason Roy. Drags his length back and lands it on middle, Roy blocks it onto the ground.

Kagiso Rabada to Jason Roy. FOUR! Straight down the ground and that has raced across the turn! Slightly fuller and on middle, Roy, with a straight bat, hits it past the bowler. It is just a push but the outfield here is lightning fast and it races away.

First bowling change of the game. Kagiso Rabada is introduced into the attack. He replaces Imran Tahir.

Lungi Ngidi to Joe Root. Nice push for a brace! Slightly fuller and on off, Root times it through covers. It is not right off the middle but enough to get two.

Lungi Ngidi to Joe Root. This is angled into the off pole from wide of the crease. Root leans into it and defends it onto the ground.

Lungi Ngidi to Jason Roy. Uppish but safe! Just behind a driving length and it is outside off, Root is guilty of playing at it away and ahead from his body. it flies off the outer half but past point and down to third man for one.

Lungi Ngidi to Jason Roy. WIDE! The typical fast bowler's response. Gets hit for a boundary on the last ball and now bangs it short. It is very short though and it has been wided.

Lungi Ngidi to Jason Roy. FOUR! Very fine and a boundary! Ngidi is guilty of drifting on the pads, Roy flicks it very fine and it races to the fine leg fence. Runs coming thick and fast now.

Lungi Ngidi to Jason Roy. Good length and on middle, Roy blocks it onto the ground.

Lungi Ngidi to Jason Roy. This is angled into the batsman, Roy looks to play it with a straight bat. The ball goes off the thick inside edge and through square leg for a couple.

Imran Tahir to Joe Root. A dot to end but a very good one for England. Very full on middle, Root jams it out.

Imran Tahir to Joe Root. Almost got a wicket off the full toss! It is on the pads, Root gently flicks it uppishly towards mid-wicket. It goes just past the outstretched hand of the fielder there and towards the deep for a brace.

Imran Tahir to Joe Root. FOUR! Misfield from Amla! Root plays the sweep to the left of Amla at square leg. He dives but the ball goes under his hands and to the boundary. Second in the over.

Imran Tahir to Joe Root. Good batting! Innovates and it comes off! Root plays the reverse sweep and hits it fine. Pretorius from short third man, hares after it and keeps it down to two.

Imran Tahir to Jason Roy. Clever batting! Roy now eases this down to long on and gets off strike.

Imran Tahir to Jason Roy. FOUR! First poor ball by Tahir and it has been put away! Very short and on off, it sits up to be hit. Roy goes back and slaps it through covers for a boundary.

Lungi Ngidi to Joe Root. Dot to finish the over. Length ball on off, Root blocks it to see off the over. 5 runs off the over.

Lungi Ngidi to Joe Root. Oh! In the air but just short. Fuller on off, Root looks to play the square drive and he does so but uppishly but the ball falls short of Duminy at backward point who was diving in front.

Lungi Ngidi to Joe Root. FOUR! Off the meat. Good length ball on off, Root waits back and pulls it excellently through mid-wicket for a boundary. he is looking in fine touch.

Lungi Ngidi to Joe Root. Closer to the stumps this time. Root is able to get bat on ball and push it to cover.

Lungi Ngidi to Joe Root. Swing on offer this time. It looks to be coming in but once it hits the surface it moves away. Root looks to play it on the up but gets beaten.

Lungi Ngidi to Jason Roy. Ngidi hits the deck hard outside off. No swing on that one. Roy looks to drive but it goes to third man off the outside edge for a single.

Imran Tahir to Joe Root. OHHH! Root looks to sweep a very full ball on the stumps, it goes off the inner half towards short fine leg. He had to get bat on that or he would have been an LBW candidate. Another excellent over by Tahir.

Imran Tahir to Jason Roy. Another slider but on the pads, Roy works it to square leg.

Imran Tahir to Jason Roy. Flatter and on off, Roy pushes it to covers.

Imran Tahir to Joe Root. Root now eases it down to long on for a single.

Imran Tahir to Jason Roy. Almost a run out there! Tahir nearly pulled off something brilliant there. He floats it up on middle, Roy smashes it back towards the bowler. Tahir sticks his leg out and almost deflects it on the stumps at his end. The ball hits the umpire and goes towards long on for one. Had that ball hit the stumps at the other end, Root was a goner.

Imran Tahir to Joe Root. On the stumps, this is eased down to long on for one.

Lungi Ngidi to Joe Root. A little too straight this time, Root just about gets his bat down in time and works it towards fine leg for one.

Lungi Ngidi to Joe Root. FOUR! Beautiful! Off the mark in some style! First boundary of the World Cup. Full and outside off, Root leans into the stroke and caresses it through the covers for a boundary.

Lungi Ngidi to Joe Root. Another confident stroke! Slightly fuller than the last ball and this is on off, Root strokes it to mid off.

Lungi Ngidi to Joe Root. A confident punch there! Shorter and on off, Root stands tall and punches it to covers.

Lungi Ngidi to Jason Roy. A single! Angles this one into the batsman, Roy looks to defend but it goes off the inner half down to fine leg for one.

Lungi Ngidi to Jason Roy. Back of a length on off and there is some extra bounce. Roy stands tall and guides it to backward point.

No surprise from the other end as Lungi Ngidi takes the second new ball.

Imran Tahir to Joe Root. A dot to end a outstanding first over by Tahir. The googly on middle, Root works it with the turn to mid-wicket.

Imran Tahir to Joe Root. Another slider, Root this time manages to push it back off the middle to the bowler.

Imran Tahir to Joe Root. Almost gets another! This is top class bowling! Bringing all his variation into play. This is the slider on off, Root goes back, the ball skids through. It goes off the inner half of the bat to short fine leg.

Imran Tahir to Joe Root. Bowls it slower again and lands it on off, this one goes straight on. Root lunges and keeps it out.

Joe Root walks out at number 3. Earlier than he would have expected to.

Imran Tahir to Jonny Bairstow. OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! What a master move this has turned out to be by Faf du Plessis. He gave the new ball exactly for this reason to Tahir and what a wicket this is! The opening stand for England has been so devastating and today, it has been broken in the very first over itself. Tahir is pumped up. He gives this air and lands it on off, Bairstow strides forward to defend but the ball turns away just a little. Enough to take the outside edge and it settles into the hands of de Kock behind. Bairstow walks straightaway and Tahir is off on his celebratory run. Ideal start for South Africa. A golden duck for Bairstow to begin the World Cup and the first wicket of the event goes to Tahir.

Imran Tahir to Jason Roy. England are underway straightaway! They almost got an overthrow too. Flatter and on off, Roy pushes it to mid off and sets off. Andile scores a direct hit at the non-striker's end but the batter is well in. The ball deflects away from the fielder backing up but the man at deep square leg gets to it quickly and stops an extra run.

Done and dusted with the national anthems and now we are all set for the action to begin. The South African team are in a huddle, their skipper, Faf du Plessis is having a word with his team before they take their respective positions in the field. Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow stride out to the middle to open the batting for England. Who will take the first new ball for South Africa? Surprise, surprise! It is going to be Imran Tahir. Jason Roy to face the first ball of the World Cup. The umpire says play and so we shall begin.

The two teams walk out to the field for their respective national anthems. First up it will be the national anthem of South Africa followed by England's.

England Playing XI - Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (C), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (WK), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.

South Africa Playing XI - Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (WK), Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis (C), Rassie van der Dussen, Jean-Paul Duminy, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir.

Eoin Morgan says he would have batted second as he prefers chasing. Reckons the wicket should be good and it should not change. Informs Wood, Curran, Dawson and Vince miss out. States Wood was completely fit, he sprained his ankle, he trained fully and was available for seection but misses out due to the balance. States Archer has impressed, he is calm when he plays and he is an exciting prospect. Ends by saying he likes the tag of World Cup favourites, it has been a collective drive by them and they are looking forward to it.

South Africa skipper, Faf du Plessis says they are doing so in general and he reckons if there is anything on the pitch it will be early on. On who is out for this game, Faf informs Steyn, Shamsi, Miller and Morris miss out. On Steyn's fitness he says he is 80 percent fit and he hopes that he should be 100 percent for game three. Faf also adds that Ngidi and Rabada have been good for them and once Steyn is back he knows they have a good trio. On being reminded that Amla has a triple hundred at this venue, Faf says Amla is looking good and he expects him to do well.

TOSS - We are set for the coin to go up for the first time in the World Cup 2019. England skipper, Eoin Morgan in his 200th ODI game for England has the coin in hand. He flips it and up it goes. South African skipper, Faf du Plessis calls Heads and it lands in his favour. South Africa OPT TO FIELD FIRST.

Pitch Report - Nasser Hussain says the boundary down the ground is 75m. The boundaries at the square from the Pavillion End is short. Sourav Ganguly from the other end says it is bright and sunny and says it is a good day for cricket. About the pitch he says there is a bit of grass covering on the surface and as it early summer here in England there will be a bit of help for the bowlers earlier on but he reckons that the pitch will be a good one for batting as the day goes on.

The four-year long wait is over and we are all set to begin the biggest event in cricket. Hello and welcome to the coverage of the first game of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Hosts England take on South Africa in the opener. Eoin Morgan and his troops start off as the favourites but it will be a crime to discount this South African side. England will look to send a strong statement straightaway and show why they are the favourites with a win over the Proteas whereas Faf du Plessis and his men would like to defeat England and send shockwaves right from the first game. A mouth-watering clash awaits us. We are not far away from the toss. Stay tuned for updates.