Root century drives England to 318

CENTURION, South Africa: Joe Root’s highest One-day International (ODI) score enabled England to post 318 for 8 here on Tuesday.   Root made 125, the highest ODI score made by an England batsman against South Africa.

South Africa lost the first two ODIs of the five-match series.

Jos Buttler, again promoted to No 4 to build upon the strong start from England’s top order, fell first ball clipping to an intriguingly placed leg gully, while Eoin Morgan laboured for 24 deliveries over his eight runs.

But then Ben Stokes joined Root in a fifth-wicket stand of 82 in eight overs that took England’s total from the average to the strong. Stokes continued to unsettle this South Africa attack with his power. Kagiso Rabada was hooked for six, before length deliveries from Wiese (who was in the side in place of batsman Rilee Rossouw) were thrashed for six and four over long-on. He responded to the introduction of Farhaan Behardien into the attack by reverse sweeping him to the boundary.

It could have been worse for South Africa, though. With seven overs and a delivery remaining, England had six wickets in hand, two batsmen well set and a target in excess of 330 in their sights.

But then Root was run-out following a mix-up with Stokes — Root’s drive crashed into the stumps at the non-striker’s end and, in the confusion, the pair were caught mid-pitch — and Kyle Abbott, in particular, bowled with control and skill to stall the charge. He dismissed Stokes and Chris Jordan with successive deliveries and, in five overs up to the end of the 48th over, England added just 24 runs.

Such is the depth of England’s batting, however, that even their No 9 and No 10 — two men with 12 first-class centuries between them — are capable of attacking and Adil Rashid and David Willey struck a six apiece in plundering 25 from the final two overs.

Earlier, Jason Roy and Alex Hales ensured a bright start for England. Roy looked especially fluent before being punished for dawdling over his first run by a powerful throw from Morkel, but Hales again found the application to add to his flair in producing another mature half-century. He got out as he top-edged a violent pull.