Oval London: England have defeated South Africa by 104 runs in the opening match of the World Cup at the Oval in London.
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has won the toss and sent England into bat in the opening game of the Cricket . No. 1-ranked England is the favorite to win the title on home soil, and its vaunted top order will be in action immediately as the tournament opens at the Oval in south London. Pace bowler Jofra Archer was selected to make his World Cup debut for England.
Jofra Archer broke through the Proteas batting order in his opening spell, dismissing Aiden Markram (11) and skipper Faf du Plessis (7) and forcing Hashim Amla (13) to retire to the pavilion for a long time after being hit by a bouncer. Quinton de Kock (68) was the only batsman who looked capable of taking the fight to the hosts, and when he was batting with Rassie van der Dussen (50), it looked for a while like we were set for a cracking finish. However, wickets fell in a heap after De Kock’s wicket, and when Archer picked up Van der Dussen’s wicket as well, the game was all but over. Ben Stokes, who took one sensational catch and played a part in two other dismissals, took two wickets in two consecutive balls to end the match.
Earlier, half-centuries from four batsmen guided England to a challenging 311/8. Ben Stokes top-scored with 89 followed by skipper Eoin Morgan (57), Jason Roy (54) and Joe Root (51). For South Africa, Lungi Ngidi dismissed three England batsmen while Kagiso Rabada and Imran Tahir took two wickets each. England had a disastrous start after being invited to bat as Tahir sent back Jonny Bairstow in the first over for a golden duck. Roy and Root then lifted England innings. The duo added 106 runs for the second wicket. After England crossed 100 mark, Phehlukwayo got rid of Roy in the 19th over and then Rabada struck in the next over to dismiss Root (51). Captain Eoin Morgan then took England past 200. After Tahir got rid of Morgan, Stokes powered hosts to 311/8.
