ICC World Cup 2019, Match 1, England vs South Africa- Best Memes From the Match

The Kennington Oval in London was a witness to a rather one-sided World Cup opener between England and South Africa. Barring Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen, no Proteas’ batsman could handle the venom spewed by the Three Lions’ bowling attack. Eoin Morgan and Co won the match by 104 runs and showed why the hosts are being deemed as one of the favorites to win the championship.

Stokes top scores for the Brits

Faf du Plessis’ men had no hesitation to field after winning the toss and the decision paid dividends immediately as Imran Tahir sent Jonny Bairstow back for a golden duck. Jason Roy and Joe Root steadied the ship and cobbled together a stand of 106 runs off 110 balls. Andile Phehlukwayo got the big wicket of Roy after the opener scored a 53-ball 54. In the very next over, Kagiso Rabada got rid of Root.

Root scored a 59-ball 51. Having lost two quick wickets, the onus was on Ben Stokes and skipper Morgan to shepherd the England innings. The duo didn’t disappoint and put on a stand of 106 runs that put their team in the driver’s seat. Tahir gave South Africa the much-needed breakthrough as he nipped out Morgan, who was looking dangerous, having scored 57 off 60 balls with four fours and three sixes.

Nevertheless, Stokes didn’t drop the gun and kept the scoreboard ticking. The 27-year-old southpaw got to his half-century off 45 deliveries and got out in the penultimate over to Lungi Ngidi. His stupendous knock of 89 off 79 with nine fours took England to a formidable score of 311 in 50 overs.

Proteas crumble alarmingly

The run-chase didn’t start on a happy note for the Proteas as Hashim Amla had to retire hurt after getting hit on the helmet by the bouncer from Jofra Archer. Aiden Markram showed promise but fell prey to Archer. In his very next over, Du Plessis pulled one straight down the throat of Moeen Ali as Archer picked up his second wicket. Van der Dussen and De Kock tried to build some momentum.

They added 85 and brought the Proteas back into the game. Luckily for England, Liam Plunkett removed De Kock, who scored 68 with six fours and two sixes. JP Duminy tried to take Moeen on only to find Stokes at long off. Dwaine Pretorius fell prey to a run-out. Amla came back to bat but got out to Plunkett.

Phehlukwayo and Rabada played a few strokes and South Africa was bowled out for 207. Van der Dussen also got a 61-ball 50 and after Archer removed him, the writing was pretty much on the walls for South Africa.

Here are the best memes from the match