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Morgan ton sets up England win over South Africa

By AFP
May 25, 2017

LEEDS, United Kingdom: England captain Eoin Morgan´s fine century laid the platform for a 72-run win over South Africa in the day/night first one-day international at Headingley on Thursday.

Victory over the Proteas, the world´s number-one ranked ODI side, gave England a morale boost just a week before they host the Champions Trophy tournament featuring the world´s top eight 50-over sides and put them 1-0 up in this three-match series.

South Africa, set 340 to win, made steady progress while the experienced Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis shared a second-wicket stand of 112.

But they both fell in quick succession to leave the Proteas 149 for three.

South Africa´s innings never recovered and they were dismissed for 267 with five overs to spare.

Earlier, Morgan´s 107 -- his 10th ODI hundred for England -- was the cornerstone of the hosts´ 339 for six.

England had slumped to 198 for five but Morgan´s sixth-wicket stand of 117 with fellow left-hander Moeen Ali, who made a dashing 77 not out on his return, turned the tide. Both batsmen struck five sixes apiece.

Ali, who ended England´s innings with a six off Chris Morris, was named man-of-the-match after also taking two wickets with his off-spin.

"It was a pretty good day at the office for us," said Morgan. "The partnerships we built, gave us the best opportunity to get a par score and beyond."