Live Cricket Score: England vs South Africa 1st T20I, Southampton

An easy single does it

Yes, the chase seemed as easy for England. Without much hiccup, England cruised to a nine wicket win with 5.3 overs remaining. Just needed three batsmen to get the job done. The tone was set right from the first ball and England never looked back. This proved to be really easy 1 up for them.

Let's check:

What's going well for South Africa today? Batting? No. Bowling? No. Fielding? No. There are days when it's just not clicking. AB de Villiers, nonetheless, keeps his chin up and tries cheering up his boys. They really really need it.

It's a cruise

Even as Alex Hales is struggling in the middle, Jonny Bairstow's attack has put England in command of the chase. In less than 10 overs, the required rate has come down to close to five. South Africa need something extraordinary for a turnaround from thsi point.

The ploy that didn't work

South Africa's tactics to start with a spinner didn't quite work. Despite the initial struggle, Alex Hales and Jason Roy got going. The duo got off to a breezy start, before the latter fell to Andile Phehlukwayo for a 14-ball 28.

To begin with

It's JJ Smuts with the ball as well to begin proceedings for South Africa. Even as he managed to trouble Jason Roy a bit with his skiddy slow left-arm, he hasn't proved as effective as South Africa would've wanted to. Given Roy's early struggle against spin, he has done his record some good today.

142-3

110 runs added - the highest fourth-wicket stand for South Africa in T20Is. Not the best total for the tourists, but at least gives something for the bowlers to bowl at. But, with de Villiers at the crease for 119 balls, England would be happy with the bowling effort.

Behardien follows:

It was quite a scratchy knock to begin with, but Farhaan Behardien has led the acceleration for South Africa. He has also brought up his half century and now set the platform. Interesting to see how far they manage to take the score.

Master returns to form

Just like he had said earlier, AB de Villiers has returned to form with the bat. He hasn't been at his fluent best, but has managed to notch up his 10th T20I fifty. He can be quite explosive in the death overs, but it remains to be seen when does the carnage start, if at all it does.

Half chances not taken

England have had several half chances coming their way, but they have failed to grab them, allowing AB de Villiers and Farhaan Behardien to move on. Will they stand to regret this?

Going gets tough

AB de Villiers and Farhaan Behardien have occupied the crease for quite some time now, but neither of them are able to get going. The scoring rate is just over six, while they are scoring at run-a-ball. Boundaries have dried up. But with no wickets falling for some time, South Africa wouldn't be too much. They have the resource to accelerate in the death.

Miller falls

And just when it seemed to be going well for South Africa with AB de Villiers playing some superb shots, England hit back with another strike. This time, it is David Miller heading back to the dugout. NO 3 down. The visitors desperately need a partnership.

Hunting in pairs

Reeza Hendricks didn't last too long after the fall of his partner. Looking to pull Mark Wood, he found David Willey taking an easy catch at mid wicket. Strike 2.

Early blow

Willey strikes off the first ball. The left-arm seamer gets the ball to straighten up a bit after pitching and JJ Smuts edges the ball back on to the stumps. Boom! Not the kind of start South Africa were looking for. In the process, he becomes the first South African to be dismissed off the first ball of a T20I. AB de Villiers arrives to the crease earlier than he would've liked.

Let's start

It's time for some youngsters to make their mark in the series. David Willey is given the new ball. Reeza Hendericks and JJ Smuts have come out to open the innings for South Africa