England defeat South Africa by 104 runs to begin World Cup campaign on a strong note

[szundercover]

This is the greatest world cup catch I have ever seen!!!!

 

[jnaveen1980]

Have a feeling this will go down to the wire

wire cut already lol

 

[barah_admi]

England's top class tail made the difference. They ensured the score is very competitive.

SA are a weak side. Their batting is very poor.

The tail did nothing in this game. It was stokes batting deep.

For me, the bowling has finally impressed, especially with archer proving some pace and bounce.

 

[Afhan Ali]

England please won this WC

 

[Hasan123]

What a catch from Stokes.

 

[Justcrazy]

Brilliant catch by Stokes .

 

[szundercover]

And people were saying Pakistan batting is bad.lol

 

[jnaveen1980]

You can't beat England. What an amazing fielding unit. Even bowling is getting better with Archer in the side. They should ideally thrash every single team in this tournament except may be Windies who can thrash England on their day.

 

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

Technically if 5 wickets in hand till 40th over any team can chase 310-330.

 

[Plumb]

Ben Stokes....Another player who was not in form brought back into his form thanks to Pakistan

 

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

Someone plz post gif of that catch it would be great

 

[Hasan123]

PP experts talking about South Africa choking. It's not that , it's that England are a better team.

Also these chokers have reached the semis since 92 more times than we have.

 

[Ronaldo7]

PP experts talking about South Africa choking. It's not that , it's that England are a better team.

Also these chokers have reached the semis since 92 more times than we have.

And they've choked... at least when we've reached the semis, twice we've reached the final.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Someone like Andre Russell at this point can still win the game for Windies. SA doesn't have anyone like them.

 

[topspin]

Never judge a game until last ball is bowled..

Why do I need wait for the last ball when they're 7 down with over 100 runs required?

 

[Hasan123]

And they've choked... at least when we've reached the semis, twice we've reached the final.

Pakistan have choked plenty of times . I can remember 2 in recent years against South Africa . One in 2006 CT failing to chase 220 odd and in 2013 CT failing to chase 230 LOL.

Let's not talk as though Pakistan is kings in pressure situations. Today's defeat wasnt about choking . England are just the better team.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ONE OF THE BEST THINGS YOU'LL SEE &#55357;&#56384;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWC19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CWC19</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENGvSA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENGvSA</a><a href="https://t.co/Q0sSz57TX5">pic.twitter.com/Q0sSz57TX5</a></p>— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheCricketerMag/status/1134131101230931968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Rifaqat]

You can't beat England. What an amazing fielding unit. Even bowling is getting better with Archer in the side. They should ideally thrash every single team in this tournament except may be Windies who can thrash England on their day.

Your wasting your time here bro

Most of the posters here dont understand cricket

 

[Justcrazy]

England will be unbeatable in league matches , but will lose in semi final , mark this post

 

[Usman Chadda]

South Africa have been daft, although England has been outstanding in the field

 

[topspin]

PP experts talking about South Africa choking. It's not that , it's that England are a better team.

Also these chokers have reached the semis since 92 more times than we have.

Before the SA innings it was "England choking" and now it's "South Africa choking".

Only these armchair critics are choking with their substandard insight.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Pakistan have choked plenty of times . I can remember 2 in recent years against South Africa . One in 2006 CT failing to chase 220 odd and in 2013 CT failing to chase 230 LOL.

Let's not talk as though Pakistan is kings in pressure situations. Today's defeat wasnt about choking . England are just the better team.

Muddled thinking while chasing. They do not have a method to chase targets. When your team is just an average batting unit you have to take calculated risks. Can't throw the bat around willy nilly that too against their best bowler.

 

[jnaveen1980]

I really want England to go down as they are getting too arrogant and cocky. Other than Aussies i don't see other teams doing that.

 

[shane]

Trust the champion chokers to make a damp squib of the World cup opener.

 

[dhump]

My word that catch by Stokes such athleticism gives so much confidence to the bowlers.

 

[Robert]

Brilliant catch by Stokes .

That man could catch an artillery shell.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Hats off England showed guts to come back after that start. With Archer they are rightful favourites now.

 

[Hasan123]

Before the SA innings it was "England choking" and now it's "South Africa choking".

Only these armchair critics are choking with their substandard insight.

Lol no one is choking. England are a better team . When they were batting they misread the conditions slightly but Stokes batted very well and has won the game.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Hashim Amla looking vulnerable to the short ball in this game. I don't watch SA games so don't know if that's a known weakness or just maybe a bad game.

 

[Justcrazy]

Poms inching towards a big win here

 

[Ronaldo7]

Lol no one is choking. England are a better team . When they were batting they misread the conditions slightly but Stokes batted very well and has won the game.

You're defending them like you owe them something. Lol.

 

[jnaveen1980]

From favorites to Super Favorites

 

[Justcrazy]

A big loss to start with will put SA under pressure over Run Rate also

 

[jnaveen1980]

couldn't even survive 40 overs? seriously? That is an appalling display. Almost like minnow level performance

 

[QalandarFan]

Why even worse than our performances against England. Pathetic batting from Saffers. Really was.

 

[Hasan123]

You're defending them like you owe them something. Lol.

Don't owe anyone anything. But not every loss is a choke.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Even scotland scored 371 against this ENgland side lol What happened to these guys. Faf, Van, Quiny. That's it. nobody else bat well. WHy is Duminy still playing?

 

[Green Patriot]

No prizes for guessing the man of the match.

 

[troodon]

Favorites destroy South Africa.

England are playing at a different level. Their team is so good that players like Tom and Sam Curran cannot find spots in the team.

Tom and Sam would walk into most ODI units. Wish India has such all rounders. Instead we have Vijay Shankar

 

[Afhan Ali]

Only Australia and India have the ability to give England tough time

 

[James]

Massive win in the end.

Lots of posters who were bashing England a few hours ago looking supremely foolish now.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Favorites destroy South Africa.

England are playing at a different level. Their team is so good that players like Tom and Sam Curran cannot find spots in the team.

Tom and Sam would walk into most ODI units. Wish India has such all rounders. Instead we have Vijay Shankar

We had this inevitable feeling that Australia was going to win the world cup in 2015 no matter what. Same feeling i get with this English side. England is playing a different level of cricket

 

[jnaveen1980]

Only Australia and India have the ability to give England tough time

India's best chance is reducing them below 270. India's slow and steady approach will win it for them. Rohit made 135 not out last year chasing 270 and they chased in 40 overs.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Even scotland scored 371 against this ENgland side lol What happened to these guys. Faf, Van, Quiny. That's it. nobody else bat well. WHy is Duminy still playing?

Its ridiculous they played JP over Miller

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

This will hurt South Africa's net run rate and their chances for qualifying to the semis if it comes to that at the latter stages of the tournament.

 

[Justcrazy]

England won by 104 runs

 

[shane]

England's batting carries them. Their bowling is weak and it is the reason they will not win this World cup.

 

[jnaveen1980]

This will hurt South Africa's net run rate and their chances for qualifying to the semis if it comes to that at the latter stages of the tournament.

Don't worry England will do the same to some other teams as well lol They will score 400 and bundle the opposition out for 280

 

[jnaveen1980]

4 of their batsmen got 50. That is a good work out for them. Their biggest guns have failed in this match. That should worry other teams.

 

[Hasan123]

Miller has to play in the next game.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

This will hurt South Africa's net run rate and their chances for qualifying to the semis if it comes to that at the latter stages of the tournament.

Good for Pakistan's chances slim as they are.

 

[Syed1]

Pak, WI, SA and BD are all fighting for that fourth spot. So this definitely helps us.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Don't worry England will do the same to some other teams as well lol They will score 400 and bundle the opposition out for 280

The only teams who matter, are going to give them tougher time i believe.

 

[jnaveen1980]

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Pak, WI, SA and BD are all fighting for that fourth spot. So this definitely helps us.

Will depend, to a certain extant, what happens tomorrow. If its a close game, then yes.

 

[Syed1]

View attachment 91869

Damn Ind + Aus,SA = Eng



Such is their dominance. If England don't win it this year we will never let them live this down.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Damn Ind + Aus,SA = Eng



Such is their dominance. If England don't win it this year we will never let them live this down.

yes. I still think Australia is mentally strong enough to gun them down. When Aussies collectively click they can bring down any monsterous team. Although Australia have lost 10 of their last 11 against ENgland this is a team with SMith and Warner. I think they made a mistake of not including handscombe. A gun fielder and a consistent batsman.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Sorry to say but Australia is favorites to win the World Cup.

Cummins will run through most sides top order and they have too much batting depth along with Lyon and Zampa to lose this World Cup.

 

[jnaveen1980]

As much a patriotic Indian fan i am, I give zero chance to our team against England. An outstanding individual performance is the only way India can win. Someone like Kohli score something like 150 plus or Rohit scores similar.

 

[Captain caveman]

What makes you think WI capable of beating England? Have you not followed general ODI since 2015 WC? Do you know where WI ranks in the ODI? When the last time they beat Eng in England?

Lets not get blindly hyped up because Gayle is back. Windies are below average ODI side

WI can beat ANYONE on their day(similar to pak). WI beat england in the odi series just recently concluded in the carribean iirc, and the pitches there are flat just like they are in this wc, so they have a chance to beat england in this wc, i believe. Obviously england are favourites for the win, but a WI win is not out of the question.
Look SA bowled well to england today and for not an injury to amla and some brainfades by de kock and faf, they might of beaten england.
TAKE NOTHING FOR GRANTED!

 

[Smbhayi]

just checked Stokes catches and it's look like ground is small..

 

[The Viper]

BEN STOKES produced a command all-round performance and rookie fast bowler Jofra Archer an outstanding World Cup debut as England cruised to a 104-run victory over the Standard Bank Proteas in the opening match of the ICC showpiece tournament at The Oval in London on Thursday.

Stokes first consolidated the England top order after they had lost a wicket off the second ball of the match and then two more in the space of four balls after a century stand between Jason Roy and Joe Root. Stokes (89 off 79 balls, 9 fours) then shared a second century partnership with his captain, Eoin Morgan, to set up the England total of 311.

But Stokes did not stop there. He excelled with his ground fielding that included the run out of Dwaine Pretorius before he took an acrobatic catch in the deep to remove Andile Phehlukwayo. It was appropriate that the Man of the Match should wrap up the match by taking the last two wickets in the Proteas innings with successive deliveries.

Archer gave the England attack its sharp edge with a stunning opening spell of 2/20 in five overs that accounted for both Aiden Markram and Faf du Plessis. He also hit Hashim Amla on the grille of his helmet with a short ball, forcing the batsman to retire hurt and only return to the middle at the fall of the sixth wicket.

Amla was the one batsman the Proteas needed more than any other to bat deep into the innings to give them a chance of winning. It remains to be seen whether he will be fit to play in the Proteas next match against Bangladesh at the same venue on Sunday.

In truth, England outplayed the Proteas in all three departments of batting, bowling and fielding, a point acknowledged by Du Plessis at the end of the match.

The advantage of having had a tough five-match series against Pakistan leading into the tournament undoubtedly counted in their favour and the Proteas will need to find their edge quickly.

The real setback for the Proteas was not that they lost to the world’s No. 1 ranked team but their margin of defeat which gives them a seriously negative net run rate (NRR). This factor is likely to play a crucial role when final log positions determine which four teams qualify for the semi-finals.

The Proteas actually had their chance to get back into the match during an 85-run partnership for the third wicket between Quinton de Kock (68 off 74 balls, 6 fours and 2 sixes) and Rassie van der Dussen (50 off 61 balls, 4 fours and a six), the latter scoring his fifth half-century in only his ninth ODI innings.

The Proteas were, in fact, only 4 runs adrift of England on comparative run rate – 166 against 170 – after 30 overs but by then they had lost too many wickets with De Kock and JP Duminy both caught in the deep and Pretorius run out in a series of soft dismissals and Amla’s absence from the field also effecting the flow of the innings.

 

[Pakistanian]

It's comin home!!!!!

 

[Arsalan Pro]

Pak, WI, SA and BD are all fighting for that fourth spot. So this definitely helps us.

What about New Zealand?

 

[Robert]

Oh forgot....

Hard to keep track of the number of players they have poached

Stokes’ father emigrated to the U.K. when Ben was ten years old. He learned all his cricket here. Please fact-check before posting.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

South Africa should make 2 changes if Steyn is available for the match against Bangladesh:

David Miller for one of Hashim Amla and Aiden Markram
Dale Steyn for Dwaine Pretorius

 

[jnaveen1980]

You should not have ego while playing guys like Archer. If he is really good just play him out and target lesser bowlers. Everybody that tried to take him on perished.

 

[Robert]

Pak are to be blamed for engs performance they made eng feel like supermen after the 4-0 thrashing.

Now that they’re actually playing a team that can actually play a bit they're getting exposed!!

Yeah, losing by 104 runs and getting bowled out in forty overs is exposing England terribly. How ever can England come back from this thrashing?

 

[shane]

What about New Zealand?

NZ are fighting for the top spot.

 

[Mean&Green]

[MENTION=140806]jnaveen1980[/MENTION] what did I tell you bro you will see a different England bowling display and archer will blow them away

 

[jonny darko]

Expected more from SA batters, disappointing. England defended their total well.

Dropped Miller to include pretorius

 

[Mean&Green]

Oh damn all my predictions were right I even said they England would mentally scar South Africa and it would be hard for them to come back 104 runs put South Africa way way behind the race for the semi finals

 

[PakLFC]

England looked seriously good today against my WC favourites. The batting was good as usual, the bowling kept a lid on the RSA batting and the fielding was world class. That catch by Ben Stokes was worth the entry fee alone!

 

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

What a rubbish performance, ben is outstanding today in all departments.

 

[Slog]

We had this inevitable feeling that Australia was going to win the world cup in 2015 no matter what. Same feeling i get with this English side. England is playing a different level of cricket

England are no Australia

 

[Markhor]

Roy's South African family
Morgan's Irish family
Moeen and Adil's Pakistani family
Jofra's West Indian family


English team

England would poach players from Canada too but there's no talent there

 

[Slog]

As much a patriotic Indian fan i am, I give zero chance to our team against England. An outstanding individual performance is the only way India can win. Someone like Kohli score something like 150 plus or Rohit scores similar.

Didn’t India and England have a series in the past year. Who won?

 

[Syed1]

England would poach players from Canada too but there's no talent there

It's funny you are trying to hit out at my country of residence when you have no other arguments.



Atleast we do not suck at the sports we take interest in. Toronto Raptors are the in final of the NBA and Canada's hockey team is one of the best historically. Can't say the same for England who pioneered cricket and have never won a WC, or won a football WC all the way back in the 60s

 

[AZ]

was superb captaincy from Faf to keep England to a below par score despite the English top order making runs.

Saffer batting line was so poor, very questionable strategy and shot selection.

 

[Captain caveman]

Root is more crucial for England than Roy, he is the glue that holds this batting together.

Last summer when Indian bowlers had England on the ropes, it was his class that shown through.

England have explosive options who can replace Roy, but they don’t have an anchor like Root.

Root, like babar is not a match winner. Both are old fashioned anchors(pakistan need an anchor because their batting is weak, but england doesn't). Roy, like fakhar is the match winner. It will be interesting to see how england do if roy gets out in single figures.