| First Royal London One Day International, Seat Unique Riverside |
| South Africa 333-5 (50 overs) Van der Dussen 134 (117), Markram 77 (61), Malan 57 (77); Livingstone 2-29 |
| England 271 (46.5 overs) Root 86 (77), Bairstow 63 (71); Nordje 4-53 |
| South Africa won by 62 runs; Lead series 1:0 |
| scorecard |
Ben Stokes’ last one-day international ended in another England defeat as South Africa won a hot 62-run opener at Chester-le-Street.
The world champions, who were beaten 2-1 by India last week, were initially worn down by Rassie van der Dussen’s fine 134 in the sweltering heat.
He combined with Aiden Markram, who hit 77 of 61 balls, in a controlled 151, the backbone of the Tourists’ 333-5.
England went 102-0 in response but lost their way to the Proteas Spinners as the baked bad luck wore out.
Stokes, who announced Monday this match at his home court would be his last 50-over international, was out for five lbw.
Joe Root made 86 balls from 77 but was bowled trying to land a hit as the run rate soared out of control.
After Root fell, the last three wickets quickly followed and England were bowled for 271 in 46.5 overs.
The win gives South Africa a 1-0 lead ahead of Friday’s second game at Emirates Old Trafford.
England’s fight in the sun
Including the Twenty20 series loss to India, this is England’s fifth white-ball defeat in seven games in 12 days at the start of Jos Buttler’s tenure as captain.
South Africa’s line-up may not be as full of superstars as India’s, but this win was just as compelling.
The conditions were difficult for players and spectators alike. As temperatures reached 38 degrees, players were seen with ice sheets while members of the crowd in the stands needed medical attention.
England bowler Matthew Potts managed just four overs on his debut before being forced off the field after “struggling with the effects of the heat”.
With the racquet, England didn’t seriously threaten to chase a good total.
Opening players Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow were unusually reticent before Roy hit spinner Keshav Maharaj with a long-off for 43 and Bairstow was caught by Markram for 63lbw.
Buttler also spun, catching and bowling Tabraiz Shamsi for 12 as England failed to hit their 50 overs for a fourth straight ODI.
Only Root put up any real resistance with a typically classic punch, but England were never in the game as gates fell all around them.
Anrich Nortje, one of the fastest bowlers in world cricket, bowled the Yorkshireman as he swiped over the line before proving far too good for the lower class as he finished 4-53.
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