#WT20 Classy Root sinks Proteas

England produced a remarkable batting performance to chase down a huge target of 230 to beat the Proteas by two wickets at the ICC World T20.

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England produced a remarkable batting performance to chase down a huge target of 230 to beat the Proteas by two wickets at the ICC World T20 in Mumbai on Friday.

After South Africa posted an excellent 229/4 in their 20 overs, with Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock and JP Duminy all getting 50s, coach Russell Domingo would’ve been confident of getting off to a winning start in the tournament.

But first Jason Roy and Alex Hales, and then the outstanding Joe Root clobbered a hapless Proteas attack to all corners of the Wankhede Stadium to reach their target comfortably.

Spinners Imran Tahir and Duminy dried up the runs after the powerplay as England went 28 balls without a boundary, but Root and Jos Buttler climbed into Chris Morris to grab the initiative back from the South Africans.

Root smashed 83 off just 44 balls (6x4, 4x6) as the Proteas were guilty of bowling too many short balls and also straying down leg-side.

There was some late drama as England lost two wickets in Kyle Abbott’s final over, but Moeen Ali hit the winning runs off the fourth ball.

South Africa’s next match is against Afghanistan on Sunday at 11.30am SA time.

ashfak.mohamed@inl.co.za

@IndyCapeSport