Keshav Maharaj took 4-22 as South Africa thrashed a woeful England aspect by seven wickets after dismissing the hosts for simply 131 runs in the primary one-day worldwide at Headingley on Tuesday.
South Africa despatched England into bat and the house aspect made a brilliant begin as they reached 82-2 in the 14th over, earlier than dropping their final eight wickets for simply 49 runs following an innings peppered with poor shot alternatives.
Only Jamie Smith put up any form of resistance with a fantastic 54 from 48 balls, however South African opener Aiden Markram smashed 86 in 55 balls to point out the pitch was one as he shared a primary wicket partnership of 121 in 18.1 overs with Ryan Rickelton (31 not out from 59 balls).
The second match in the three-game sequence will likely be performed at Lord’s on Thursday. The groups will even contest three Twenty Internationals beginning on September 10.
“It was not a great start to the series, just one of those bad days and we will move on as soon as possible,” England captain Harry Brook mentioned.
“Everyone will hold their hand up and say we had a bad day. We could not get a partnership together. The ball held in the pitch a little, but they bowled really nicely.
“We have to put that efficiency behind us now and get all the way down to London.”
England started brightly with successive fours in the opening over from Smith and despite Ben Duckett’s early dismissal, they appeared to be heading towards setting an imposing target.
However, a tired-looking shot from Joe Root, after a long summer of cricket, saw him edge the ball for wicket keeper Rickelton to hang onto a juggling catch, signalling the start of a dramatic slump.
Spinner Maharaj’s varying pace then bamboozled the batters as England were dismissed three balls shy of half of their allotted 50 overs.
England’s debutant seamer Sonny Baker opened the bowling but finished with figures of 0-76 off seven overs.
Markram was particularly brutal on him before he was the first of three wickets late in the chase for spinner Adil Rashid, who took 3-26.
“It was necessary to begin effectively,” South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said. “We have been medical with the ball, we have been below stress in the powerplay however nonetheless managed to get wickets.
“With the bat, we could have been more clinical at the end but it should not take anything away from the chase, led brilliantly by Aiden.”
