Proteas Deliver a Stunning Victory Over England

The Proteas delivered a crushing seven-wicket defeat to England in the first ODI at Leeds on Tuesday.

South Africa’s victory was virtually guaranteed after they bowled England out for a mere 131, with over half of the innings still to play.

Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj (4/22) and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder (3/33) were the standout performers on a dreary day at Headingley, after Proteas captain Temba Bavuma called correctly at the toss.

Proteas opener Aiden Markram then klapped his way to a rapid 23-ball fifty, which featured eight fours and two sixes, as South Africa finished at 137/3 with nearly 30 overs remaining.

Markram was particularly hard on England debutant Sonny Baker, who had a dismal outing, conceding 76 runs in his seven overs. Baker had also been dismissed for a golden duck earlier.

Markram was eventually out for 86, caught brilliantly by a diving Jamie Smith at cover off leg-spinner Adil Rashid (3-26).

Rashid then achieved a double-wicket hauler in two balls with the match score tied.

Dewald Brevis avoided the hat-trick and promptly ended the match with a straight six off Rashid, giving the Proteas a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, while ending Harry Brook’s impressive six-game winning streak as England’s white-ball captain.

Earlier, opener Smith was the sole England batsman to make a mark, scoring 54, while the next highest score was just 15 from Jos Buttler.

The series will continue at Lord’s on Thursday.