Highlights, 2019 World Cup, Match 1: Stokes stars with bat and ball as England crush South Africa by 104 runs

England vs South Africa, 2019 World Cup Match 1: A comprehensive win for the hosts! They have justified the tag of being favorites and it was a complete team performance from them today. Their bowlers were exceptional, their batting was decent and their fielding was at its best. A day where Morgan and co. can be very satisfied. South Africa were left reeling right from the start after Roy and Root's 100-run partnership which was followed by Morgan's fifty and Ben Stokes 89 just took the game away from the Proteas. Archer was outstanding along with Plunkett and Stokes. A clinical performance by England. Ben Stokes was awarded the Man of the Match.

(Match Scorecard | When and where to watch Live Streaming)

Highlights, ENG vs SA, 2019 World Cup Match 1: England (311/8) beat South Africa (207) by 104 runs

England (311/8) beat South Africa (207) by 104 runs in London. De Kock 68,  Archer 3/27, Stokes 2/12

22.06 IST: Ben Stokes to Imran Tahir, OUT! Catching practice! Two in two for Stokes. He did with the bat, he was brilliant in the field and now finishes it with the ball. Length delivery on off, Tahir opens the face of the bat and guides it to widish first slip where Root takes a neat catch diving to his right. All smiles in the England camp AS THEY HAVE WON BY 104 RUNS!

21.59 IST: Liam Plunkett to Lingi Ngidi, SIX! Where did that come from!! Full and on middle, Ngidi lofts it with ease over the long on fence. SA 198/8 in 38.4 overs

* Lungi Ngidi is the new man in.

21.57 IST: Liam Plunkett to Hashim Amla, OUT! There goes the last recognized batsman. Once again we saw the short ball doing the trick. It is outside off, Amla looks to pull but there is a top edge. It goes to Buttler who takes it and appeals. Amla starts walking. SA 193/8 in 38.1 overs

21.52 IST: Ben Stokes to Kagiso Rabada, FOUR! Just over! Stokes bowls it short, Rabada plays the pull towards mid-wicket. Eoin Morgan stretches his right hand up but it still goes over him for a boundary. SA 191/7 in 37.2 overs

* Here's the catch we have been drooling over! 

21.49 IST: Ben Stokes to Kagiso Rabada, Excellent over from Stokes. He just cannot do anything wrong today. Just a single off his first over. The last ball is on off, Rabada taps it to point.

* Kagiso Rabada walks out to bat next.

21.41 IST: Adil Rashid to Andile Phehlukwayo, OUT! Ho, Ho, Ho! That is some catch! My word! Ben Stokes, take a bow. Still can't believe he has taken it. For a second not even he could. Andile Phehlukwayo too trudges off in disbelief. Magnificent. Rashid tosses this up on middle, Phehlukwayo goes down and looks to play the slog sweep. He nails it towards deep mid-wicket. Ben Stokes there is standing a little too inside the ropes as it is the longer part. He moves to his left and the leaps with a hand stretched upwards and the ball sticks. SA 180/7 in 34.1 overs

21.31 IST: Jofra Archer to Andile Phehlukwayo, FOUR! Easy-peasy! On the pads, Phehlukwayo works it fine on the leg side and the ball races away.

*Hashim Amla returns to the crease.

21.24 IST: Jofra Archer to Rassie van der Dussen, OUT! The well-set van der Dussen walks back after getting to a half ton. What an impact Archer has made. He gets his third and that too, all three of his wickets are huge. Once again the short ball does the trick for him. It is quick and the key here is the length. It is outside off, Rassie looks to drag his pull but only manages a top edge. It balloons towards mid on where Ali takes an easy catch.

*Jofra Archer replaces Moeen Ali.

21.20 IST: NOT OUT! 

21.20 IST: Adil Rashid to Andile Phehlukwayo, LBW appeal! And Eoin Morgan has opted for DRS after on-field umpire gives not out.

21.18 IST: Adil Rashid to Rassie van der Dussen, one run. Fifty for Rassie! But he needs to stay till the end for South Africa to have a chance.

21.17 IST: Moeen Ali to Rassie van der Dussen, FOUR! Second boundary in the over! Too short and outside off, Rassie goes back and slaps it past covers and it races away.

21.16 IST: Moeen Ali to Andile Phehlukwayo, FOUR! Up and over! Phehlukwayo dances down the track but does not get to the pitch of the ball. He still manages to drag it over mid on for a boundary. Risky shot but the risk comes off.

21.13 IST: Adil Rashid to Andile Phehlukwayo, FOUR! Phehlukwayo releases some pressure as he steps out but many of such shots are needed. 

*Change in bowling. Adil Rashid replaces Liam Plunkett.

Andile Phehlukwayo is the new man in.

21.05 IST: RUN-OUT! South Africa in trouble! Dwaine Pretorius departs for 1.

21.01 IST: Moeen Ali to Jean-Paul Duminy, OUT! Duminy holes out! Moeen has the last laugh. Moeen shows courage and flights this ball on off, Duminy looks to go inside out over long off. He does not time it well and ends up hitting it straight to long off. Ben Stokes there who has had a very good game so far takes a simple catch. South Africa losing regular wickets here.

21.00 IST: Moeen Ali to Jean-Paul Duminy, steps out and hits the first four since de Kock's dismissal! A much-needed boundary for Duminy and South Africa.

*Jean-Paul Duminy is the new man in.

20.49 IST: Liam Plunkett to Quinton de Kock, OUT! Big, big wicket for England. Plunkett who has been a bit expensive today has got them the big fish. Quinton de Kock is out of here. It is not the best of deliveries. De Kock c Root b Plunkett 68(74)

20.46 IST: Moeen Ali to Rassie van der Dussen, FOUR! Third boundary in the over! This may have been off the edge. Yes, it is. Floated outside off, it is the straighter one. Rassie looks to defend but does so for the non-existent turn. The ball goes off the outside edge. The fielder from short third man runs after it and dives but his effort goes in vain.

20.44 IST: Moeen Ali to Rassie van der Dussen, FOUR! Lovely batting from Rassie! He showed power on the last ball and finesse this time. Goes down on one knee and reverse sweeps it through short third man for a boundary. 10 from the first two balls.

20.42 IST: Moeen Ali to Rassie van der Dussen, SIX! What a shot! Rassie dances down the track, gets to the pitch of it and then lofts it over the long off fence for a biggie. Joe Root has to search for the ball behind the sight screen as van der Dussen takes charge.

20.40 IST: Liam Plunkett to Quinto de Kock, SIX! Full on off, de Kock moves away slightly towards the leg stump and tonks it over covers for a maximum.

20.39 IST: Liam Plunkett to Quinton de Kock, FOUR! Not a good start for Plunkett. Kept it short but de Kock pulled it brilliantly.

*change in bowling. Liam Plunkett replaces Adil Rashid

20.36 IST: NOT OUT!

20.35 IST: Moeen Ali to Quinton de Kock, sharp turn and De Kock gets beaten. There's a stumping appeal but the English players don't look excited.

20.27 IST: Moeen Ali to Quinton de Kock, one run, and that's a fifty for De Kock! But the job is not done yet.

20.22 IST: Adil Rashid to Quinton de Kock, FOUR! On the pads, de Kock looks to whip it but gets an inside edge which goes fine down the leg side. The ball races away to the fien leg fence for a boundary.

20.18 IST: Moeen Ali to Rassie van der Dussen, FOUR! First boundary for van der Dussen. Reverse swept and that has been played nicely! He goes down on one knee and hits it past backward point.

20.15 IST: Moeen Ali to Rassie van der Dussen, FOUR! Byes as pitch shows signs of turn.

20.14 IST: Adil Rashid to Rassie van der Dussen, The googly on middle, Van der Dussen looks to defend but the ball hits the pads and rolls towards the leg side. A leg bye taken.

20.10 IST: Moeen Ali to Quinton de Kock, SIX! First maximum of the innings and De Kock has fired that a long way. SA 62/2 in 12 overs

20.07 IST: Adil Rashid to Quinton de Kock, FOUR! What happened there? Has that hit the stumps? Yes, it has! But the bails have not come off, instead it has gone to the boundary. The googly which pitches around leg. De Kock goes for the sweep shot but misses as the ball stays low. It kisses the off pole, goes past Buttler and down to the third man fence. 50 up for South Africa. SA 54/1 in 10.5 overs

* Powerplay 2 signalled by the umpire! Now 4 fielders can be placed outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over. Also, first bowling change of the innings. Spinner into the attack now. Adil Rashid to bowl his first over of the game.

* Rassie van der Dussen replaces his skipper out in the middle.

20.01 IST: Jofra Archer to Faf du Plessis, OUT! In the air... taken! Faf du Plessis is out of here! England are into the fragile middle order of South Africa and that too very early in the game. The bouncer does the trick. It is on middle, Faf looks to pull but just like Markram does not get on top of the bounce. The ball takes the top edge and goes high up in the air towards fine leg. Moeen Ali there takes a good catch. South Africa in trouble here.South Africa 44/2 in 9.3 overs

19.58 IST: Chris Woakes to Faf du Plessis, Not a good shot! It is behind a driving length and outside off, Faf goes after it without a lot of foot movement but gets beaten.

19.54 IST: Jofra Archer to Faf du Plessis, FOUR! Faf du Plessis is off the mark with a boundary! He uses the pace of the bowler here. It is fuller and on off, Faf leans into it and times it past mid off. It races to the fence. SA 41/1 in 7.5 overs

* South African skipper, Faf du Plessis is the new man in.

19.51 IST: Jofra Archer to Aiden Markram, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Jofra Archer draws first blood! He gets his revenge and he is delighted. Back of a length on off, this may have been the effort ball as it bounces a little more. Markram looks to punch it through the off side but fails to get on top of the bounce. It flies off tyhe outside edge to Root at first slip who takes a neat catch. SA 36/1 in 7.4 overs

19.46 IST: Woakes to Markram, FOUR! Shot! Brilliant shot! Not a very bad ball. It is on a length and it is just outside off. Markram strides forward and then strokes it through covers for a boundary. SA 31/0 in 6.5 overs

19.43 IST: Jofra Archer to Quinton de Kock, That is the first time de Kock lost his shape. He looks to slog this full ball on middle, ends up mistiming it towards the right of mid on for a run. SA 25/0 in 5.5 overs

19.38 IST: Chris Woakes to Quinton de Kock, FOUR! On the up! Lovely stroke. Length and around off, de Kock stands tall and strokes it past covers and the ball races away. Second boundary in the over. SA 22/0 in 4.5 overs

19.36 IST: Chris Woakes to Quinton de Kock, FOUR! Poor ball and put away! Yes, de Kock did make a little room but Woakes too helped him by bowling it short and outside off. De Kock slaps it through point for a boundary. SA 18/0 in 4.3 overs

* Aiden Markram walks out to bat now.

* The physio is out straightaway to have a mandatory check on Amla. You cannot take such chances in this day and age. Also, Morris comes out with a few helmets for Amla to have a look at. Amla is going back as he holds his head. Let's hope it is nothing serious.

19.30 IST: Jofra Archer to Hashim Amla, On the helmet! That was quick, very quick. Bowled at 145 KPH, this bouncer keeps on rising. Amla looks to pull but is beaten for pace an gets hit on the helmet. He takes it off.

19.28 IST: Jofra Archer to Hashim Amla, FOUR! DEFT! Lovely from Amla. Back of a length and it is slightly outside off, Amla hops and then plays it late. Guides it past second slip and into the third man fence. First boundary for Amla. SA 14/0 in 3.2 overs

19.26 IST: Chris Woakes to Quinton de Kock, EDGED AND FOUR! No slip and it races away. Slightly short and it is just outside off, de Kock throws his bat at it. The ball goes off the outside edge, past the diving Buttler and into the third man fence. First one for South Africa.

19.21 IST: Jofra Archer to Hashim Amla, Brilliant effort! Saves a certain boundary! Short and outside off, Amla cuts it towards point. Roy there dives to his right and stops it. Already saved at least 5 runs in the field have England till now.

* Jofra Archer to bowl from the other end with the second new ball. Two slips in place for Archer.

19.19 IST: Chris Woakes to Quinton de Kock, BEATEN! A loose shot by de Kock there. It is on a length and outside off, QdK just hangs his bat out and gets beaten. End of a very good first by Woakes.

19.15 IST: Chris Woakes to Quinton de Kock, Good fielding! They need to be good in the field today. Back of a length on middle, de Kock works it towards mid-wicket. Stokes there runs to his right, dives and saves a run at least.

* And we're back for the chase! The English players and SA openers Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla are out. 312 for South Africa to chase. It's been an interesting battle so far and the real battle begins here. Chris Woakes his handed the new ball. Let's get started!!

* Just the 76 in the last 10 overs and England have finished way below the score they would have loved or should have got at one moment. Surely, South Africa will be the happier side heading into the break.

18.44 IST: Kagiso Rabada to Liam Plunkett, Single to end the innings. 11 runs off the final over. The last ball is full on off, Plunkett hits it towards mid off and gets a single. ENGLAND FINISH WITH 311/8 FROM THEIR 50 OVERS.

18.40 IST: Kagiso Rabada to Jofra Archer, FOUR! Excellent shot! Length ball outside off, Jofra rocks onto his back foot and slashes it through covers for a boundary.

18.38 IST: Lungi Ngidi to Ben Stokes, OUT! End of an excellent knock from Stokes. It has been a brilliant comeback from South Africa. Ngidi hits the deck hard on a length. It is on off, Stokes looks to play the reverse paddle. He does not time it well and ends up hitting straight to Amla at short third man.

18.35 IST: Lungi Ngidi to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Poor start this. Comes steaming in and bowls it on the body, Stokes just helps it on its way down to the fine leg region for a boundary.

18.34 IST: Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes, FOUR! The second half of the over has began well for England. This is not off the middle but Stokes gets the desired result. Short and wide outside off, Stokes slaps it but off the bottom, through covers and into the boundary. England would love a few more.

18.33 IST: Kagiso Rabada to Chris Woakes, OUT! Woakes holes out! Faf du Plessis takes his third catch of the day. Slower ball and it is on a length on middle, Woakes flat-bats it but does not get the desired elevation. It goes to Faf at long on who makes no mistake. So just the single and a wicket from the first three balls of the 48th.

18.27 IST: Andile Phehlukwayo to Chris Woakes, NOT OUT! It's not a catch, it wasn't a bump ball but it hasn't carried.

* Now then, is that a catch? The umpires have gone upstairs to check. The SOFT SIGNAL IS NOT OUT!

18.24 IST: Andile Phehlukwayo to Chris Woakes, WIDE! The ball probably slipped out of his hand. It is way, way outside the tramline. On the edge of the pitch actually. Woakes leaves it alone and wide signalled by the umpire.

18.22 IST: Kagiso Rabada to Chris Woakes, Length ball on off, Woakes pulls it towards deep mid-wicket and gets only a run. 10 runs off the over.

18.20 IST: Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes, WIDE! Misses his mark with the attempted bouncer here. It is on the leg side, Stokes loks to pull but misses. The umpire waits for a while and then signals it as wide.

18.18 IST: Kagiso Rabada to Chris Woakes, FOUR! Rabada bowls it short outside off, Woakes frees his arm and slashes it over backward point for a boundary.

18.15 IST: Kagiso Rabada is back for his final spell. 7-0-36-1 so far. He has a slip in place. Rarely do you see it a slip in the death.

18.13 IST: Andile Phehlukwayo to Ben Stokes, Good running! A couple to end but just 5 from Phehlukwayo's over. South Africa would take that any day. Full and on middle, Stokes works it with soft hands towards mid-wicket. It is the longer side of the ground and the batsmen run two.

18.12 IST: Andile Phehlukwayo to Ben Stokes, Well kept by de Kock and he almost produced a run out opportunity! This is down the leg side, Stokes flicks it fine. De Kock dives to his right and makes a half stop. He then gets up quickly and runs after it. The batsmen think of a second but then seeing the effort bail out.

* Andile Phehlukwayo is back into the attack. 6-0-30-1 his figures so far.

* Chris Woakes comes into bat

18.08 IST: Lungi Ngidi to Moeen Ali, OUT! Another stunning catch! This time it is the skipper, Faf du Plessis. He made that look so easy. Outstanding. Ngidi gets another important breakthrough. It is the slower one and it is full. Moeen hits it off the middle but flat towards wide long on. Faf there covers ground quickly to his left and then with a dive to his left, takes it brilliantly. England are losing their way here. South Africa into the bowling all-rounders. England 260/6 in 44 overs

18.06 IST: Lungi Ngidi to Moeen Ali, Another swing, another miss! This time it is a length ball and slower outside off. Ali looks to go over cover but does not connect.

18.04 IST: Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes, Another couple! Stokes works this full toss in the similar region. They take one and go for the second. The fielder fires it to the bowler who deflects it onto the stumps but the batter is in.

18.02 IST: Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes, Gives it a lot of air, Stokes nicely works it in the gap on the mid-wicket region and takes two.

17.59 IST: Lungi Ngidi to Ben Stokes, Shortish and it bounces a touch extra. Stokes does well to get on top of the bounce and guide it towards point for one. 250 comes up for the hosts. 8 overs to go after this, how many more can they add?

* Moeen Ali is the new batsman in.

17.56 IST: Lungi Ngidi to Jos Buttler, OUT! DRAGS IT ON! Ngidi with the big, big wicket. What could have been a possible 350, now comes down to 320 or so. The slower short ball does the trick for Ngidi. It is short and it is on middle, Buttler looks to pull but the ball does not bounce as much as Jos expected it to. It hits the inside edge and then clatters into the stumps behind. They do check for the front foot but replay shows it is fine. Jos fails to make an impact and once again, South Africa manage to pick a wicket at a crucial time.

17.54 IST: Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Short wide and punished. Tahir is guilty of giving width to Stokes.

* Powerplay 3 has been signaled! Now a maximum of 5 players can be placed outside the ring till the end of the innings.

17.46 IST: Lungi Ngidi to Jos Buttler, Poor ball to begin with. He bowls it on the pads, Buttler flicks it fine down towards fine leg and they run the first one hard which allows them to take two. Good running this.

* Lungi Ngidi is back for another burst. His figures so far 6-0-45-0.

17.44 IST: Imran Tahir to Jos Buttler, Just wide! A tremendous effort from Tahir. He bowls it slower through the air on middle, the ball sticks in the surface a little. Buttler looks to push it but it flies off the inner half, past the diving and outstretched hand of Tahir and down to long on for one.

17.41 IST: Kagiso Rabada to Ben Stokes, A dot to end! Slower bouncer and outside off, Stokes lets it be as he feels it is a wide. The umpire feels different.

17.38 IST: Kagiso Rabada to Jos Buttler, A direct hit and Stokes was a goner! Markram was the man again and he is disappointed he missed. Back of a length on off, Buttler taps it towards cover and sets off. Markram runs in and underarms it diving forward. He misses though.

* Kagiso Rabada is back for another spell.

* Jos Buttler replaces his skipper out in the middle.

17.34 IST: Imran Tahir to Eoin Morgan, OUT! Imran Tahir to Eoin Morgan, OUT! In the air... and what a catch by Markram! Excellent. South Africa needed something special to break the stand and Markram has produced it. Tahir is the one who the wicket will be credited to but Markram should be the one getting all the praise. Morgan dances down the track and Tahir bowls the googly. England 217/4 in 36.5 overs

17.31 IST: Dwaine Pretorius to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Perfect execution! Pretorius bowls it full on off, Ben gets down on one knee and plays a delightful reverse paddle over the vacant slip region and into the third man fence for a boundary. This is just brilliant stuff from the English all-rounder.

17.29 IST: Dwaine Pretorius to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Excellent shot! Good length ball on off, Stokes comes down the track and hits it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

17.28 IST: Dwaine Pretorius to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Slower ball gone wrong! Pretorius bowls it full outside off, Stokes stretches out and smashes it over cover for a boundary. Stokes is joining the party now.

17.27 IST: Andile Phehlukwayo to Eoin Morgan, Slower short ball on the body, Morgan mistimes the pull shot towards fine leg for another run. 200 up for England. 15 overs to go after this.

17.25 IST: Andile Phehlukwayo to Ben Stokes, EDGY FOUR! England won't care! Stokes dances down the track and Andile bowls it outside off. Stokes swings but the ball flies off the outside edge and down to the third man fence. England may have decided to step on the gas now.

* Drinks Break! After losing two wickets in quick succession, England have once again steadied the ship, courtesy their skipper, Eoin Morgan and Benh Stokes. The duo have added 81 runs for the 4th wicket and are looking very good out in the middle. Morgan has got to his fifty in the process and is looking good out in the middle. South Africa have not been able to turn the screws after getting rid of Root and Roy. They need quick wickets here if they want to restrict England under 320.

17.21 IST: Dwaine Pretorius to Ben Stokes, Stokes once again uses his feet but the length is quite short. Ben pushes it to mid off for another single.

* Dwaine Pretorius is back!

17.15 IST: Andile Phehlukwayo to Eoin Morgan, FOUR! Fifty comes up for the skipper with that boundary. He has been brilliant today. He gets to his 46th ODI fifty with an excellent pull through square leg. His first fifty as skipper in the World Cup.

17.13 IST: Aiden Markram to Ben Stokes, SIX! HUGE! Markram slows it up and bowls it on middle, Morgan brings the slog sweep out and hits it into the mid-wicket stand. Second boundary in the over.

17.12 IST: Aiden Markram to Eoin Morgan, FOUR! In the air... but just wide! That should break the shackles! Full and on off, Stokes hits it uppishly but wide of long off. Rabada there runs to his right and then dives but it is out of reach. A much-needed boundary.

17.10 IST: Andile Phehlukwayo to Ben Stokes, A dot to end! So just the extra in the over. Length and on off, Morgan drives it to covers.

17.09 IST: Andile Phehlukwayo to Eoin Morgan, No run from the bat in the over so far! Back of a length and into the body of the batsman. It is worked to mid-wicket.

17.07 IST: Andile Phehlukwayo to Eoin Morgan, Down the leg side, Morgan looks to pull but misses. Wided. Morgan would feel his missed out there. A little bat on it and it would have been a boundary.

* Andile Phehlukwayo is back into the attack.

17.03 IST: Aiden Markram to Eoin Morgan, A single to end! Another good Markram overs comes to an end. Morgan goes back and pushes it down to long on for one.

17.01 IST: Imran Tahir to Eoin Morgan, Another single to end! This is flighted on off, Morgan hits it through covers and gets to the other end. Imran Tahir has been slightly expensive today. 7 from this one. England 167/3 in 29 overs

17.00 IST: Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Slightly short and Stokes pounces on it. It is on off, Stokes goes back and punches it through covers. It races away.

16.58 IST: Aiden Markram to Eoin Morgan, Tossed up on off, this time Morgan hits it wide of cover and to long on for a single.

* Aiden Markram to have a go with the ball now.

16.54 IST: JP Duminy to Eoin Morgan, FOUR! Swept and swept nicely! It is on the pads, Morgan says thank you very much and hits it fine on the leg side for a boundary.

16.53 IST: JP Duminy to Ben Stokes, Flatter and on the pads, Stokes nudges it through mid-wicket and another single results. 150 is up for England.

16.51 IST: Lungi Ngidi to Eoin Morgan, SIX! Back-to-back maximums! Easy this for Morgan. It is short but bounces at a good height for Morgan. He rocks back and helps it on its way over the fine leg fence. 12 from the first three balls.

16.50 IST: Lungi Ngidi to Eoin Morgan, SIX! He has picked the bones out of this one! Lovely shot. Dances down the track and makes it into a full ball. Morgan then smashes it over long off for a biggie.

16.48 IST: JP Duminy to Ben Stokes, On middle and leg, Ben flicks it but straight to the man at mid-wicket.

* JP Duminy is on!

* 2019 World Cup, ENG vs SA: Imran Tahir creates history, Jonny Bairstow follows John Wright in unique record | Read Here

16.42 IST: Lungi Ngidi to Eoin Morgan, FOUR! Glorious! Full on off and middle, Morgan plays a textbook straight drive. It goes past the mid off fielder and races away to the fence. Morgan holds the pose for the cameras.

16.40 IST: Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes, Very full on the pads, it is flicked through square leg for one.

16.39 IST: Imran Tahir to Eoin Morgan, Flatter and on the pads, Morgan works it through mid-wicket for a single. This is what we will be seeing for a little while now from England.

16.36 IST: Kagiso Rabada to Eoin Morgan, Had Markram picked the ball up, it could have been close. Length and on off, Morgan defends it towards cover and the batters go for a quick run. Markram gets to the ball quickly but fails to pick it up.

16.34 IST: Kagiso Rabada to Eoin Morgan, Short and it is on Morgan's body. He looks to work it on the leg side but the ball hits the glove and rolls towards square leg for a single.

16.31 IST: Imran Tahir to Ben Stokes, Flighted on the pads, Stokes flicks it to mid-wicket and gets a single. He will keep the strike.

* Imran Tahir is back on! Faf du Plessis senses the opportunity to go on top of the game. He is eager for another wicket and gets the leggie on.

* Ben Stokes walks out to bat next.

16.27 IST: Kagiso Rabada to Joe Root, OUT! CAUGHT! Rabada strikes on the very first ball of his new spell. Excellent bowling change by Faf du Plessis. Both the set batsmen are now back in the hut. Root too departs after getting to a half ton. Not a great shot this. It is on a length and just outside off, Root leans looks to stroke it on the up but ends up playing away from his body. Hence, it goes uppishly towards point where Duminy takes an easy catch. England 111/3 in 19.1 Overs

16.26 IST: Andile Phehlukwayo to Eoin Morgan, FOUR! Off the mark and in some style! Length ball on off, Morgan gets on top of the ball and drives it gloriously through covers for a boundary. England 111/2 in 19 overs

* Eoin Morgan walks out to the middle. It is the England skipper's 200th ODI game for England. Will it be a memorable one for him?

16.23 IST: Andile Phehlukwayo to Jason Roy, OUT! How many times have we seen Roy get to his fifty and throw it away and how often has Phehlukwayo has given South Africa the breakthrough! Phehlukwayo bangs it in short and Roy who has played the pull short so well today miscues one.

16.21 IST: Andile Phehlukwayo to Jason Roy, FOUR! That was four the moment it left the bat. Full on middle and leg, Roy smashes it through long on. There is a man at long on but he does not move an inch.

16.19 IST: Dwaine Pretorius to Joe Root, A bit of a misfield and Root gets to his half ton. 'ROOOOOTTTTT' shouts the crowd here. He raises his bat to acknowledge the applause. His 31st in this format. He flicks this towards mid-wicket where the fielder does not stop it cleanly and a run is taken.

* DRINKS! So England are going along really well after the early blow. Root and Roy seem to be timing the ball nicely and their partnership is laying the foundation for a big score. The English side will hope, the two can continue in the same manner. South Africa on the other hand, have bowled a little too short. They need to come up with something new and first break this partnership and then take a couple more. Who will dominate after the break?

16.15 IST: Andile Phehlukwayo to Jason Roy, 100 comes up for England. It is on the pads, Roy looks to flick it but it goes off his thigh pad down to the fine leg region. He takes a run and there is a slight confusion as Roy raises his bat in appreciation as the scorecard scores he has got to his fifty but Dharamasena signals it as leg bye.

16.12 IST: Andile Phehlukwayo to Joe Root, Safe! No, he is not short. The dive has saved Root there. Good length ball on off, Root plays it wide of mid on and takes a quick single. The fielder there moves to his left and has a shy at the bowler's end. He hits it and the umpire just to be sure takes it upstairs.

* Direct hit! Is Root short? The umpire has taken it upstairs to check. Root looks relaxed.

16.05 IST: Dwaine Pretorius to Jason Roy, FOUR! Nice shot! Full on off, Roy gets under it and lofts it over the mid off fielder. It was a slower ball from Pretorius but he could not deceive Roy.

16.03 IST: Andile Phehlukwayo to Joe Root, Full on off, Root drives it straight but Phehlukwayo does well to get his hand to it and take the pace off the ball. Mid on runs behind and they just get one.

16.02 IST: Andile Phehlukwayo to Jason Roy, Starts with a slightly shorter ball on off, Roy has no problem pulling it to deep mid-wicket and getting a run. The ploy from South Africa has been clear they are looking to bowl short but it has not been short enough.

16.00 IST: Dwaine Pretorius to Jason Roy, Nice running! Length ball on off, Roy drops it towards cover and takes a very quick single to see off the over.

15.55 IST: Kagiso Rabada to Jason Roy, FOUR! Beautifully played. Rabada bowls it slightly shorter. Roy waits on his back foot and plays a short-arm jab pull through mid-wicket for a boundary. Spoils a good over. England 79/1 in 13 overs vs South Africa

15.53 IST: Excellent weather at The Oval

15.50 IST: Dwaine Pretorius to Jason Roy, FOUR! Yes, he does go big. Pretorius bowls it short, Roy gets on his back foot and pulls it over mid-wicket. The ball bounces before the ropes and goes away for a boundary.

15.44 IST: Kagiso Rabada to Joe Root, FOUR! Delightful stroke, the on-drive! Probably the toughest shot to play in the game. On off and it is slightly fuller. Root strokes it past the diving mid on fielder and it races away.

* Powerplay 2 has been signaled! Now 4 fielders can be placed outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over.

15.42 IST: Dwaine Pretorius to Jason Roy, Play and a miss. Roy looks to unsettle Pretorius. He comes down the track and looks to hit it straight. The ball moves away slightly after pitching and Roy misses his shot.

 

15.40 IST: Dwaine Pretorius to Joe Root, Starts with a length ball on middle, Root flicks it wide of fine leg and gets a couple.

*change in bowling. Dwaine Pretorius replaces Lungi Ngidi.

15.37 IST: Kagiso Rabada to Joe Root, FOUR! Poor effort in the deep by Ngidi. Can't blame him though, he would be tired after his spell and we could see that in the effort. Short and on middle, Root gets on top of the bounce and pulls it all along the ground towards backward square leg. Ngidi runs to his left and then instead of bending down, looks to stop it with his leg but fails to do so.

15.35 IST: Kagiso Rabada to Joe Root, pushes it towards mid-on for one run. 50 for England in 8.2 overs.

15.30 IST: Lungi Ngidi to Jason Roy, FOUR! A slower delivery but way outside off, and Roy rightly punishes the bowler. A well-timed drive towards the cover boundary.

15.27 IST: Kagiso Rabada to Jason Roy, FOUR! Poor start from Rabada, as Roy times it brilliantly for a straight drive. The fielder hopelessly chases the ball, and it's a well-deserved boundary.

*change in bowling. Kagiso Rabada replaces Imran Tahir.

15.25 IST: Lungi Ngidi to Joe Root, inside-edge but Root survives! Good comeback from Ngidi after a poor start to the over.

15.21 IST: Lungi Ngidi to Jason Roy, FOUR! Poor line from Ngidi this time as Roy puts it fine.

15.19 IST: Imran Tahir to Joe Root, FOUR! Root sweeps and finds the gap this time. 

15.17 IST: Imran Tahir to Jason Roy, FOUR! Roy makes room for himself and powerfully cuts it towards cover. First boundary for the batsman.

15.16 IST: Lungi Ngidi to Joe Root, FOUR! A great shot towards backward square-leg. Good length ball on off, Root waits back and pulls it excellently through mid-wicket for a boundary.

15.12 IST: Imran Tahir to Joe Root, Root sweeps but straight to the fielder. Another tight over as only four from it.

15.08 IST: Lungi Ngidi to Joe Root, FOUR! A brilliant cover-drive from Root to ease off some pressure. First boundary of England's innings and the first of World Cup 2019.

15.04 IST: Imran Tahir to Joe Root, A dot to end an outstanding first over by Tahir. The googly on middle, Root works it with the turn to mid-wicket.

* Joe Root walks out at number 3. Earlier than he would have expected to.

15.02 IST: Imran Tahir to Jonny Bairstow, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! What a master move this has turned out to be by Faf du Plessis. He gave the new ball exactly for this reason to Tahir What a wicket this is! The opening stand for England has been so devastating and today, it has been broken in the very first over itself. Tahir is pumped up. He gives this air and lands it on off, Bairstow strides forward to defend but the ball turns away just a little. Enough to take the outside edge and it settles into the hands of de Kock behind.

15.01 IST: Imran Tahir to Jason Roy, England are underway straightaway! They almost got an overthrow too. Flatter and on off, Roy pushes it to mid off and sets off. Andile scores a direct hit at the non-striker's end but the batter is well in. The ball deflects away from the fielder backing up but the man at deep square leg gets to it quickly and stops an extra run.

15.00 IST: Who will take the first new ball for South Africa? Surprise, surprise it is going to be Imran Tahir.

* Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow stride out to the middle to open the batting for England.

14.59 IST: Done and dusted with the national anthems and now we are all set for the action to begin. The South African team are in a huddle, their skipper, Faf du Plessis is having a word with his team before they take their respective positions in the field.

14.57 IST: Which team are you rooting for?

14.54 IST: The two teams walk out to the field for their respective national anthems.

14.38 IST: Here is the Playing XI of South Africa

14.37 IST: Playing XI of England is out

14.31 IST: South Africa win the toss and opt to bowl against England in London

14.24 IST: The two skippers are ready to lock horns.

Brief Preview: Hosts and hot favourites England will know this is their best chance to lift the crown for the first time, when they take on perennial underachievers South Africa in the World Cup opener at The Oval here on Thursday. England, who are still in search of their first trophy like South Africa, have risen from the ashes of their poor campaign in the showpiece last time, following that group-stage exit by ascending to the summit of the ICC ODI rankings. [Read full preview here]