Bairstow, Ali sparkle as England smash 234 to take 1-0 series lead

It was a high-scoring affair in the opening T20I between England and South Africa at Bristol as the hosts took a 1-0 series lead after racking up their second largest total in T20I cricket. Jonny Bairstow smashed a career-best 90 off 53, while Moeen Ali scored the fastest half-century by an Englishman in T20I cricket to take England to 234 for 6 in their 20 overs. Tristan Stubbs kept South Africa in the contest in the chase with a sparkling knock of 72 off 28 deliveries that included eight sixes, but England had too many runs to play with as the Proteas finished on 193 for 8, succumbing to a 41-run defeat.

England’s ultra-attacking batting line-up entered the opening T20I without much success throughout the summer against the white ball, but the pieces finally clicked against South Africa at Bristol as the hosts smashed 20 sixes in their innings, their most in a T20I. Jos Buttler started the pyrotechnics with a fiery cameo of 22 from 7 deliveries which included two fours and two sixes, but South Africa kept the scoring rate in check throughout the powerplay, with England ending the first six overs on 48 for 2.

However, the small boundary sizes and just five bowling options proved to be a recipe for disaster for the Proteas as the English middle order tore into the South African attack through the back half. Dawid Malan played an elegant knock of 43 from 23 deliveries before Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali upped the ante with a six-hitting masterclass.

The duo put on the second-fastest century stand in T20I cricket, adding 101 runs in just 35 balls and hitting 14 sixes between them, five of which came in a single Andile Phehluwakyo over that cost a record 33 runs. 107 runs came in between overs 14-19 before Lungi Ngidi offered the Proteas some respite in the final six deliveries, conceding just seven runs and picking up two wickets to finish with figures of five for 39.

Chasing 235, the South African reply began with the worst possible start as Quinton de Kock smashed a drive into the hands of extra cover in the second over before Rilee Rossouw top-edged to third man to leave the visitors reeling at 7 for 2. Reeza Hendricks kept South Africa alive with a 28-ball half-century, but the English spinners, Rashid and Ali, struck at regular intervals to derail the visitors’ efforts.

Stubbs smashed the two spinners for 33 runs in ten deliveries as he brought up a 19-ball half-century that offered the Proteas a glimmer of hope, leaving 54 runs needed off 18 deliveries. However, Chris Jordan bowled a magnificent pressure 18th over that went for three runs before Richard Gleeson dismissed Stubbs for 72 to end South Africa’s chances and give England the hosts a comprehensive win in Bristol.