ENGLAND STUN THE WORLD WITH THE CHASE OF A LIFETIME

Joe Root smashed 83 as England pulled off the highest chase in ICC World T20 history as they won their first match of the tournament, surpassing South Africa’s mammoth 229-4 to win by four wickets.

Unchanged from their opening defeat to the West Indies, Eoin Morgan chose to bowl first after winning the toss in a bid to counter the dew factor that would contribute to the game later in the evening.

However, South Africa’s batsmen took the attack to England’s bowlers from the off, Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock smashing quickfire fifties.

They managed the sixth highest total in T20Is but England’s reply started off at a blistering pace, one that they managed to keep up throughout their innings to pull off a four-wicket victory, and the highest chase in ICC World T20 history.

After a tight first over in which David Willey only went for two runs, de Kock took a liking to Reece Topley, hitting his first delivery over cover for six.

That signalled the start of an early onslaught by the South African top two, de Kock (46*) and Amla (37) putting on 86 in the powerplay without loss. 

The score had progressed to 125-2 by the halfway as England’s spin duo of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid fought hard to bring their side back in to the contest.

Ali had de Kock caught in the deep by Alex Hales for 52 whilst Adil Rashid had AB de Villiers caught at point for 16, after the South African had hit back-to-back sixes.

Ali completed his four over compliment with figures of 2-34 after trapping Amla LBW for 58, a fine effort in the context of the entire innings.

England’s fast bowlers couldn’t back up the efforts of the spinners though, with JP Duminy (54* off 28) and David Miller (28* off 12) lifting the South Africa total to 229-4 after their 20 overs.

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In a bid to copy the example set by their South African counterparts, Hales and Jason Roy blasted their way out of the blocks, adding 44 off the first two overs.

However, the Nottinghamshire opener fell during the next over, not before hitting a further boundary, trapped in front for 17 by Kyle Abbott.

Ben Stokes joined Roy and the latter continued to routinely find the boundary, before a ramp shot too many led to his demise, caught behind for 43 from 16 balls off Abbott.

Around the peppering of the boundaries wickets were falling at a rapid rate, Stokes caught on the boundary for 15 off Kagiso Rabada as England’s six-over total was three runs better than South Africa’s; 89-3.

Much like in South Africa’s innings, England’s momentum was stymied by the introduction of spin as Duminy removed captain Morgan for 12.

However, Root and Jos Buttler once again took the attack to South Africa and at the end of the 12^th over England were 148-4, needing a further 82 for a remarkable victory.

Root reached his fifty from 29 balls, reverse scooping a yorker from Chris Morris for his third six, limiting the required amount to 47 with five overs remaining.

Despite losing Buttler, stumped for 21, Root powered his was to 83, including six fours and four sixes, before top edging a high full toss from Rabada to fall with just 11 needed.

England headed in to the final over needing just one run but two wickets in two balls, one caught in the deep and the other run out, set the nerves jangling. Moeen Ali then sealed it with a single hit over mid off to conclude an earth-shattering chase.

England are returning to the scene of their Ashes triumph in 2016 for Royal London One-Day Internationals against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Don't miss the opportunity to watch some of the best players in the world go toe-to-toe in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge and secure your seats now.