After choosing to bat first, the hosts put up a strong performance, with Rassie van der Dussen smashing a brilliant century. Van der Dussen scored 111 off 117 balls, with the help of 6 fours and one six.
Experienced campaigner David Miller also chipped in with valuable contribution, slamming 53 off 56 balls, including 4 fours and 1 six, as the South African team posted 298/7 on the board in their allotted 50 overs. For the touring party, all-rounder Sam Curran picked up three wickets while conceding only 35 runs in 9 overs.
In response, England’s innings got off to a strong start thanks to explosive opener Jason Roy and his partner David Malan. The duo added a dominating stand of 146 for the opening wicket as the tourists looked in complete control.
Roy went on to smash a remarkable hundred, scoring 113 off 91 balls, featuring 11 fours and 4 sixes. Similarly, Malan slammed 59 from 55 deliveries, including 9 boundaries. However, as soon as the duo got out, the rest of England’s batting unit fell like a pack of cards as the Jos Buttler-led side could only manage to reach 271, losing the contest by 27 runs.
South Africa’s bowlers produced an outstanding comeback performance, with Anrich Nortje destroying the English batting order, taking 4 wickets for 62 runs in his quota of 10 overs. Likewise, Sisanda Magala also shined with the ball and bagged a three-wicket haul while giving away 46 runs from 9 overs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
? RESULT | SOUTH AFRICA WON BY 27 RUNS
A remarkable fightback in the middle overs, led by Anrich Nortje (4/62) and Sisanda Magala (3/46), turned the match on its head after England came out firing with a 146-run opening stand#SAvENG #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/dEqIsxrfsa
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) January 27, 2023
Defeat in our series opener in Bloemfontein ?
Scorecard: https://t.co/jMRRm2POuj
?? #SAvENG ??????? pic.twitter.com/Uukvd20DYe
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 27, 2023
The scenes from the dugout ?#SAvENG https://t.co/lQpGURHwVj pic.twitter.com/lWiH5EKMAP
— SuperSport ? (@SuperSportTV) January 27, 2023
A remarkable come-from-behind win for South Africa as they go 1-0 up in the three-match series ?#SAvENG | ? Scorecard: https://t.co/DlhKB8Imxl pic.twitter.com/zut2GyXxul
— ICC (@ICC) January 27, 2023
South Africa won the first ODI by 27 runs.#SAvENG Scorecard: https://t.co/e8A5BAunD9 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/1bQPw2vLU0
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 28, 2023
Well, well. England were cruising beautifully at 146-0. That's quite the implosion. But a huge win for SA in the context of WC qualification. #SAvENG
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) January 27, 2023
Highest men’s ODI batting average (minimum 30 innings):
73.86 – Rassie van der Dussen ??
67.00 – Ryan ten Doeschate ??
59.41 – Babar Azam ??
57.69 – Virat Kohli ??
53.58 – Michael Bevan ??#SAvENG
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) January 27, 2023
From 146/1 to 271 all out ?
That was some turnaround led by the comeback boy Sisanda ?#SAvENG #ODI pic.twitter.com/fTiJLUQqMM
— Sunrisers Eastern Cape (@SunrisersEC) January 27, 2023
Absolutely thrilled for Sisanda Magala, who is one of the most skilled bowlers in the country, but has had many battles to secure his selection. His struggles have been public and hurtful but he now has the chance to show what he can do. #SAvENG
— Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM) January 27, 2023
Fiery spell that turned the course of the match ?#SAvENG #WhistleForJoburg
? : @ProteasMenCSA pic.twitter.com/dz1khK84IM
— Joburg Super Kings (@JSKSA20) January 27, 2023
Wow. England were cruising at 146 for no wicket. And through sheer determination, Temba Bavuma's men took all 10 wickets from there to register an incredible victory for South Africa in Bloemfontein by 27 runs. Remarkable ??? #SAvENG
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) January 27, 2023
He started the innings with aggression and finishes off the first ODI with aggressive captaincy. Lord Bavuma is the most under rated captain and leader in world cricket. #SAvsENG #SAvENG #Bavuma #Cricket #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/dq0Vhw6oTl
— Wasay Habib (@wwasay) January 27, 2023
Shamsi gets the final wicket and SOUTH AFRICA WIN!!!!!
146-0 to 271 all out
I'd call that a choke from the World Champions#SAvENG
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) January 27, 2023
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