Bairstow blasts England to victory

England eased to a nine-wicket victory over South Africa in the Twenty20 opener at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton with Jonny Bairstow leading the way with a ruthless unbeaten 60.

With six changes made and the likes of Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes absent, England made light work of the 143 target with 33 balls to spare. A disciplined shift with the ball, including a strong debut for Hampshire leg-spinner Mason Crane, paved the way for a victory in the first of this three-match series.

And the hosts enjoyed themselves as Bairstow, along with Alex Hales (47not out), led the chase to see England home in style.

Jason Roy, dropped from the 50over side for the Champions Trophy semi-final defeat to Pakistan, opened alongside Hales and eased any nerves with a big six in the third over.

A spot of over-confidence did for Roy in Andile Phehlukweyo’s first over as he was trapped lbw reverse sweeping for 28 from 14 balls but Bairstow was immediately into his stride, clipping his second delivery to the boundary.

Hales and Bairstow regularly sent the ball to the boundary and Bairstow reached his second T20 half-century with a four.

South Africa had won the toss and elected to bat, only to find themselves three down inside five overs.

Captain AB de Villiers, though, led the recovery with 65 not out from 58 balls and was well supported by Farhaan Behardien (64 not out) in an unbroken stand of 110, but England cruised past the target.

Jonny Bairstow: unbeaten on 60 as England won by nine wickets.