ENG VS SA ODI

Right then, that is all we have from this cracking first game of the three-match ODI series between South Africa and England. The second ODI will be played on Sunday, 29th of January and that game will start at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT). Do join us for the build-up of that game. Cheers!

Temba Bavuma, the skipper of South Africa says that the things did change quickly. Adds they got the ball to turn, put on the pressure and that got them back in the game. Informs that they could've got it excess of 300 but the wicket got slower which made it difficult. Mentions that they felt that the score was below par but it proved to be enough in the end. Adds that the opening stand for England were off to a flier even better than their owns. Informs that every player played a role in this chase. All the bowlers gave it thier all on the field. Adds that they will take the win as they were in desperate need for points.

Sisanda Magala is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. He says that he is very happy considering the position they were in and to pull off this win is a great thing for them. Tells that he would be bowling in the middle overs was communicated earlier to him and says that his plan was to bowl stump-to-stump and keep it simple. Mentions that in the first innings, the bouncers were sticking a bit on the pitch and they tried to use that.

Jos Buttler, the skipper of England in is for a chat. He thinks that they played excellent cricket but is disappointed as they gave away the game after a solid opening stand. He informs that they need to keep going and face the challenges head on. Credits South Africa for their solid comeback as they took wickets at regular intervals. Ends by saying he is really gutted that the could not get over the line.

Time for the Presentation.

In the first half, South Africa started on a brisk note but most of their batters failed to convert their starts but Rassie van der Dussen stood up along with Miller to take them to a par total. Sam Curran was brilliant with the ball for the visitors and they would have backed themselves to chase this total but South Africa showed great fighting spirit and pulled of a memorable win here.

England, well, their philosophy to keep going for their shots might have backfired here. However, that is how they play and that has brought them success over the years but not in this game. They had a brilliant opening stand of 146 and it looked like the game will finish within 40 overs. However, they lost wickets at regular intervals once that opening stand was broken and England kept going for their shots even though the required rate was well below 6 runs per over and once Buttler departed in the 37th over, South African bowling attack turned out too good for the lower order batters.

South Africa looked down and out when England cruised to 146 in the 20th over with all 10 wickets in hand. However, Magala started the fightback and got rid of Malan first and Nortje too joined him with his rapid bullets as South Africa started finding wickets at regular intervals. From 146-0, England were reduced to 152-3. However, the real downfall started when Rabada got rid of Roy who was playing brilliantly and then despite England batting deep, South African pacers continued to charge in and produced incredible spells to pull off an incredible victory in the end. Nortje and Magala were the pick of the bowlers with seven wickets between them and Rabada too got two important wickets. Once again, South Africa have shown why they are one of the best bowling units in the world.

WOW! What a cracker of a game we have witnessed here! Absolutely incredible scenes here at Mangaung Oval as South Africa have clinched this thriller and have shown here what that World Cup qualification means to them. They have pulled off an absolute heist here and it is on the back of sheer fighting spirit and some top-notch skills!

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Tabraiz Shamsi picks up the final wicket and he takes off here into his celebration. It is looped up, on leg stump. Olly Stone tries to flick it away but it flies off the leading edge to the right of the bowler. Tabraiz Shamsi moves to his right in a flash. He fumbles but accepts it on the second bite. SOUTH AFRICA WIN THE GAME BY 27 RUNS.

A dot now! On off, defended out.

Good length, on the pads. Stone tucks it to square leg for a single. These singles aren't helping England's cause here.

It is full length, tailing into the pads. Olly Stone gets an inside edge on his pads.

A short ball, on off. Adil Rashid pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Full length, outside off. Adil Rashid punches it to point.

A short ball, wide of off. Adil Rashid tries to throw the kitchen sink at it but only connects with thin air.

Back of a length, wide of off. Adil Rashid stands back and cuts it to deep point for a brace.