A whirlwind century by Jos Buttler propelled England to 399-9 batting first in the opening one-day international against South Africa on Wednesday.
Buttler made 105 off 76 balls, his second straight hundred in one-day cricket, as England reached the highest 50-over total in internationals at Mangaung Oval.
Following his 46-ball century in England’s last one-day game against Pakistan, Buttler unleashed 11 fours and five sixes to decimate South Africa’s bowling on a batter-friendly strip. Buttler’s century was the best of a bunch of superb knocks by England. Openers Alex Hales made 57 off 47 and Jason Roy 48 off 30. Joe Root contributed a comparatively measured 52. Ben Stokes hit 57 at the end in a partnership of 54 off 25 balls with Moeen Ali.
All the South African bowlers took heavy punishment, with four going for 70 runs or more, while Farhaan Behardien and JP Duminy, sharing fifth bowler duties, conceded a total of 93 runs.
Brief Scores
Eng: 399/5 (Jos Buttler 105, Ben Stokes 57, Alex Hales 57; Chris Morris 3/74) vs SA.