England apply late brakes on Proteas in T20 opener

EAST LONDON, South Africa: Ben Stokes made a crucial strike to slow a South African batting assault in the first Twenty20 International against England at Buffalo Park on Wednesday.

South Africa made a competitive 177 for eight after being sent in but looked set for a much bigger total before Stokes dismissed Rassie van der Dussen for 31 after South Africa had raced to 111 for one in the 11th over.

Leg-spinner Adil Rashid took the wicket of top-scorer Temba Bavuma for 43 in the next over and the innings lost momentum. Bavuma and captain Quinton de Kock (31) had got South Africa off to a fast start with an opening stand of 48 off 26 balls and Van der Dussen joined Bavuma in a second-wicket stand of 63 off 41 balls before Stokes had Van der Dussen caught at square leg.

Mark Wood and Chris Jordan bowled the last two overs and conceded only a combined eight runs while four wickets fell. Jordan finished with two for 28.

Stokes, Jos Buttler and Wood returned to action after being rested during a three-match One-day International series, while South African fast bowler Dale Steyn made his first international appearance since last March.