The highly action-packed day for cricket that November 27 was ended with visitors England registering an impressive five-wicket win over South Africa at Cape Town in the first of a three-match T20I series. In a high-scoring affair, Jonny Bairstow's dashing knock of 86* from 48 balls proved too good for the Proteas as they failed to defend a target of 180.
England had chosen to field first after winning the toss. Thanks to a quick 30 from their captain Quinton de Kock and a half-century (58) from Faf du Plessis, the hosts reached a score of 179/6 in their 20 overs. Rassie van der Dussen's 37 off 28 and Heinrich Klaasen's 20 off 12 gave an extra boost to SA's score.
In reply, England recovered from 34/3 thanks to an 85-run partnership between Ben Stokes and Bairstow. After Stokes' dismissal - he scored 37 from 27 - Bairstow kept going and saw his team through to a 1-0 lead in the series.
Captain's Take
Ending up on the losing side, South Africa captain de Kock didn't sound too disappointed with his team. Instead, he gave credit to the England team for batting well.
"We thought it was a good total, didn't come off tonight. I don't think it was that one over, Jonny and Ben built a partnership, Jonny batted really well, changed his gameplan to the pitch," the SA skipper explained.
The one over he referred to was the one where England scored 28 off Beuran Hendricks. De Kock also thought that there wasn't much different that he could have done.
"Small things in the field we could have done differently, match awareness. We didn't play badly, they played really well."
Eoin Morgan, who must have enjoyed this victory after England's home ODI series loss to Australia some months ago, did not overlook the fact that his team's win came mainly thanks to a few great individual efforts.
"(This win is) pleasing because we were average apart from two or three guys. Chasing was difficult, especially three-down, but Jonny and Ben set it up nicely, to win when you don't play your best is nice," Morgan said after the match.
He further added that improvements are necessary in England's performance.
"Collectively, regardless of the team and the time around each other, the more we play the more we will gel. Not doom and gloom, nice to start with a win, but we need to be doing the right things," the England captain asserted.
Expert's Take
Watching as a viewer, England pacer Tymal Mills expressed joy over his team's win.
"An excellent win and a really good game of cricket to start the series. Bairstow was brilliant with the bat and Sam Curran brilliant with the ball. There's plenty to build on but an exciting start."
Former South African spinner Robin Peterson expressed his admiration for Bairstow.
"Jonny Bairstow is such a adaptable cricketer. Exceptional skill set at the top of the order and now showing middle order prowess too."
Former England captain and cricket commentator Michael Atherton pointed out the value of this innings for Bairstow.
"He would look back fondly on this innings because there was a lot of discussion...about his role in the side... There were some question marks as to whether he should be playing. He has answered them emphatically," Atherton said in a television interview.
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