Roy's attack gives England a blazing start
March 18, 2016  22:01

Eng 103-3 (8 ovs) vs SA 229-4 |  Scorecard

A positive move from England as Ben Stokes gets a promotion in the batting order to continue with the aggressive approach.

Despite a horror first over, Rabada is brought back. Stokes hammers a short wide delivery through the off-side for his first boundary.

Roy continues his attacking approach as he shuffles across and scoops it over the keeper for a six. He tries to repeat the shot but this time he fails to make proper connection and is caught on the leg side by wicketkeeper de Kock after a whirlwind innings of 43 from 16 balls, laced with five fours and three sixes.

Abbott attempts a bouncer to Stokes but it goes too high and even beats the keeper for five wides as 14 runs come from the fifth over.

Stokes take up the initiative after Roy's dismissal as he whacks Rabada for six over midwicket but the bowler has the last laugh. Three balls later Stokes hit a full toss straight into the hands of the fielder at deep square leg to fall for 15.

England are well ahead of the required run rate, as they race to 89 for three in six overs, needing another 141 runs from 14 overs for victory at nearly 10 runs per over.

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir is called into the attack immediately at the end of the six overs of Powerplay.

He makes a tidy start under the circumstances, giving away just seven runs in his first over, with Joe Root and Eoin Morgan look to consolidate after England's fiery start.

It's spin from both ends as part-timer Duminy comes on from the other end. He also concedes seven in his first over with England going past the 100-run mark, in the eighth over.
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