9.18pm So, that's it for now. AB de Villiers admits he and his batsmen found it difficult to get it off the square today, which is putting it mildly. A very strange performance all round. See you on Friday for match No. 2!
9.10pm Well, that was comprehensive. AB de Villiers and Farhaan Berhardien ground out a puzzling slow century stand that gave the impression of demons in the wicket. But England just put their feet down the track and battered the ball to all parts. But for an aberration from Jason Roy, who was looking in top form for his 28 from 14, England would surely have backed themselves to win this by ten wickets. Not a resounding omen for the coming couple of games.
Hypocaust: "What a strange match. England turned up but I think South Africa's performance bordered on unprofessional. Wonder what associate and affiliate nations think when they see a full member treat an official T20 International with such disinterest?"
Matt: "Well played Sam Billings" Quite so. A resounding winner of the #ThanksForComing Trophy. The other contender, Eoin Morgan, at least made the one big call of the night, getting Mason Crane into the attack at precisely the right moment to settle the nerves of a young legspinner who looked the part in four very tidy overs.
Anonymous: "Bairstow better than Root? I think so." Careful, you can get charged with sedition for such anti-establishment cricketing opinions these days...
END OF OVER:14 | 9 Runs | ENG: 138/1 (5 runs required from 36 balls, RR: 9.85, RRR: 0.83)
- Jonny Bairstow55 (32b)
- Alex Hales47 (38b)
- Tabraiz Shamsi3-0-23-0
- Imran Tahir3-0-37-0
Safferabroad: "I can't take it anymore. This SA team is hopeless, no spine, no guts, no point. De Villiers hasn't the foggiest idea of how to be a captain. I've been offered seats for one of the tests and am wondering if it's worth the bother. Please put a stop to this!!!" Don't despair, AB won't be captain for the Tests. (Or, actually, in the side at all ... ah... hold that thought...)
Farrukh : "I can bet a million that this isn't a used pitch! " You're not wrong...
Bairstow is taking a breather, he's down on one knee, and looking a bit glum. Has he tweaked something? It might be the heat... he's taking a glug of something isotonic. I think he'll live
END OF OVER:13 | 17 Runs | ENG: 129/1 (14 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 9.92, RRR: 2.00)
- Alex Hales47 (38b)
- Jonny Bairstow46 (26b)
- Imran Tahir3-0-37-0
- Dwaine Pretorius2-0-20-0
Liam: "Bairstow's good at singles and boundaries. Literally suited to any format, any situation"