Amla, de Kock give South Africa a flying start vs England
March 18, 2016  20:08

SA 100-1 (8 ovs) vs Eng |  Scorecard

England introduce spin early as off-spinner Moeen Ali is called into the attack. Now Amla joins in the party as he smashes the first ball from the spinner through the covers for a four and repeats the shot two balls later for the same result.

Amla tries another shot through the off-side as it goes in the air but Topley in the covers iis unable to take the straightforward catch to give the right-hander a lifeline.

De Kock plays another fine, late cutting Ali past the wicketkeeper for another four as South Africa race past the 50-run mark, in the fourth over.

Amla on the attack now as he goes after pacer Chris Jordan in his first over, smashing him for 22 runs including four boundaries and a six. No wild slogging from Amla but hitting proper cricketing shots, managing to find the gaps on both sides of the wicket including a pull shot over fine leg for a six.

South Africa are running away with the game as they race to 72 for no loss in five overs, scoring at 14.4 runs per over, having hit 11 fours and four sixes already, with de Kock on 40 from 17 balls and Amla on 32 from 13 balls.

Ben Stokes brought into the attack and he also suffers as Amla and de Kock hit him for a boundary each with South Africa taking their score to 83 for no loss in six overs.

Leg-spinner Adil Rashid comes into the attack with England desperate to make a breakthrough to stop South Africa's charge. De Kock hits the first ball for a boundary through the leg side to race to his fifty, from just 21 balls, having hit seven fours and three sixes. Amla not holding back either as he slog sweeps the last ball over the midwicket fence for a six as the carnage continues.

Ali makes the crucial breakthrough with the key wicket of de Kock, who is caught at deep square after a smashing knock of 52 from just 24 balls, having hit seven fours and three sixes. He gave South Africa a rollicking start, putting on 96 runs from just 43 balls for the opening wicket with Amla to lay the foundation for a huge total.

Ali manages to keep it tight in his second over, conceding just four runs, as South Africa reach 100 for one in eight overs with Amla hitting 46 from 22 balls and AB de Villiers batting on one.
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