Barn-storming Bairstow
Jonny inspires England to win over South Africa
SOUTHAMPTON ( England): Jonny Bairstow made a dashing 60 not out as England thrashed South Africa by nine wickets in the first Twenty20 international at Southampton.
England, set just 143 to win, reached their target for the loss of only one wicket with 33 balls left on Wednesday.
Opener Alex Hales was 47 not out, his unbroken second-wicket stand with Bairstow worth 98 runs.
But the foundations for a victory which put England 1-0 up in this three-match series were laid by their bowlers.
They restricted South Africa to 142 for three after Proteas skipper AB de Villiers won the toss.
De Villiers made 65 not out and Farhaan Behardien an unbeaten 64 in an innings where fast bowler Mark Wood took two for 36.
The fourth-wicket pair’s unbroken partnership was worth 110 runs after they came together with South Africa 32 for three -- which represented a recovery after they had slumped to seven for two.
But South Africa’s total still looked short of a competitive score on what is usually a good batting pitch.
Spinners Liam Dawson (four overs for 17 runs) and debutant Mason Crane (four overs for 24) both bowled tidily on their Hampshire home ground.
“The result doesn’t look good for us,” de Villiers told Sky Sports.
“We lost our way at the start, had to rebuild and we were 20-30 runs short in the end,” the star batsman added after a match where South Africa failed to get the boost they were looking for after their first-round exit at the Champions Trophy one-day international tournament.
The series continues at the Taunton headquarters of southwest county Somerset today before concluding in Cardiff on Sunday. – AFP