England started off their host campaign in the best possible way as they outclassed South Africa in the opening match of the 2019 Cricket World Cup to take the game by 104 runs.
England were far superior with the bat, during their bowling spells and especially with their fielding. If you haven’t seen the Ben Stokes catch you need to.
It might not be too much a surprise since the Poms were the heavy favourites going into this tournament, but after two balls it was all suddenly in doubt as Bairstow fell to the second ball of the opening match from South African spinner Imran Tahir.
To South African captain Faf Du Plessis’ credit, he managed his bowlers extremely well.
Initially introducing Tahir, the first time a spin bowler has opened for the first over of the World Cup, proved to be a master stroke.
Then, they managed to find wickets in clusters, temporarily destabilising the English innings.
But, in the end, England’s batting line-up is far too strong, even if you get that early wicket.
At the conclusion of their innings, they had totalled up a whopping 311 runs for South Africa to chase, but with the lofty expectations that are coming with this England side, even that was a tad disappointing.
Mark Waugh himself said in the post-innings analysis on Fox Sports that South Africa should be happy they restricted England to only that. Imagine hearing four of five years ago that a team would be happy to chase 300+.
England’s Joe Root (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
If this is supposedly England’s batsmen having an off-day, you can imagine what they might do when they’re on form.
This total was England’s lowest in their past five matches, so please spare a second for the poor bowlers that will have to throw down at them throughout the tournament.
Then, there’s the other side. Considering some of the recent totals England have conceded when bowling, there were some slight concerns if the bowling line-up was truly good enough to deliver a World Cup.
Joe Root’s side didn’t wait too long to dispel that notion. His bowlers had taken two wickets in the first ten overs to leave South Africa with a mountain to climb without the experience of Hashim Amla too who had to leave the field for a concussion Test after being rattled by a Jofra Archer bouncer.
Speaking of Archer, he reminded everyone exactly why no team will want to chase anything nearing that score as he blitzed the Proteas with his searing pace, ending the match with a 3-27 after just seven overs. How’s that for a World Cup debut?
It’s scarcely believable that over in England, there were debates about whether Archer should be brought into the squad. He is already their best bowler.
Not that he’s the only one worth worrying about. Stokes complimented his spectacular catch with a tidy figure of 2-12 and the ten South African wickets were shared between five bowlers.
Even when you the batsman managed to survive and find an inch of space to eke out runs from, the English fielders were ready, saving boundaries with their athletic fielding and taking catches that I am convinced are not possible by the laws of physics.
Is there any way to stop this ridiculously strong England side?
The structure of the tournament in what is essentially a league format, with the top four teams making it to the semis, pretty much make it a guarantee that England will make it through at this rate.
The already high expectations will increase with every win – But each victory will also fill the England side with confidence and belief, it will be up to their coach Trevor Bayliss to ensure that the players’ feet stay on the ground. Complacency will be their greatest enemy.
That England ran through this match against a strong opponent with barely a sweat goes to show that this is the nation’s best side in winning the coveted World Cup.
Don’t be too surprised if the “It’s coming home” chants start ringing once again.
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
As suspected, forget complacency England imploded in the field last night as things got away from them.
Paul
Roar Guru
but Warner still gets runs, even when he looks ugly
Rellum
Roar Guru
I would not suggest Warner is capable of dealing with a moving ball by the way. He struggles most of the time. Smith, yes.
Jason
Roar Rookie
Certainly Magic, nothing is a certainty . Game on.
Jason
Roar Rookie
Hey Paul, I think the wickets will be prepared for high scoring but any early movement has been a bane for us for a long time now due to our mostly dead wickets at home. Game on fellas.
Maccaa
Guest
Have to get past Afghanistan first.
Rellum
Roar Guru
It would in one day cricket. Not Tests. But then I am not sure how the Poms are going with their batting
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
Apologies!
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Jason, I actually think the moving ball would help rather than hinder the Aussies. The "English method" is to go hard at the ball hitting through the line, which works super well on dead flat tracks with little lateral movement. As soon as the balls swings, it takes a very good player to still make runs and when England have collapsed, it's been because they've struggled to adjust. Root is a very good player of the moving ball, but Roy and co, not so much. The Aussie lineup is way less flamboyant but probably better equipped to cope with sideways movement. Smith & Warner have excellent records in that regard. If Langer could set the conditions for an Australia/England final, I'd guess he'd want some sideways movement for sure.
Magic
Guest
Yes, Jason agree that eng have all the fire power to win the matches but it doesn't mean that they will win along the ground they could win but my point of view is that no one (including AUS and ind) are certain to win the cup there is equal chances for good teams
Magic
Guest
Ohh so, you still remember that 5-0 but didn't remember what AUS did to them before and one more thing still AUS far ahead in terms of ICC World Cup specially and eng didn't loos practice match deliberately
Magic
Guest
Nah! JK that's not strong argument that England decided not to play full strength so, than if you remember AUS also played without Maxwell, Cummins and Starc
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
England decided not to field a full strength team on Saturday against Australia as they didn't want to aggrevate any injury concerns. It was a warm-up match after all. I expect the team that we saw yesterday at the Oval to be the England team that will be used throughout the tournament (although there may be some minor changes along the way).
Barmyfarmer
Guest
They did last year when they hammered them 5-0. Can't compare practice matches with competitive games.
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
Yes, the Barmy Army has released a new version of Three Lions especially for the Cricket World Cup. The fact that it went on the PA definitely shows that World Cup Fever is spreading again.
Jason
Roar Rookie
If AUS beat them ? I'll be cheering loudly. I honestly think we have the fire power to win but they humbled us here and flogged us over there. Yes a couple of our guys were out and I hope that is the difference, but if the ball is swinging, we are in serious trouble.
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
Not sure how complacency could be a problem- England has never won a World Cup. Handling the pressure of favouritism with the pressure that comes from the expectation of winning for the first time (and being at home) seems more like a real pressure.
Magic
Guest
So, what about AUS have you watched practice match between AUS vs England if they can beat any side in many ways than why didn't they apply this formula on AUS in that match so, tell me suppose if England and AUS meet in the semi final and AUS beat them than what would you say there is no actual winner this time and am definitely sure AUS might have made 312 against England
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Neel, very good comments. One nice thing to come from this game was the examination the SA bowlers gave to the Poms. Granted, the English won the game, but Langer and all the other coaches will now spend hours looking at the tape from that game to suss out weaknesses, eg Roy MUST have at least one gully from ball one, Root needs to be bowled to at least a stump wider that Roy and slightly shorter, etc. I was actually thinking how NZ would have gone against that batting and I'm sure Boult and co must fancy their chances with the number of shots that went just out of reach of fielders and the constant playing across the line from outside off stump.
Neel
Roar Guru
Still early days but jeez do the South Africans depend on De Cock and Du Plessis too much. I reckon they should have selected Miller instead of Markram. Their batting is a concern ahead of the latter fixtures. Archer was seriously impressive. He doesn’t look all that quick but he just naturally generates serious heat. That bouncer to Amla was well executed. England have started well but it’s still early days and it’s really anyone’s game.