2019 cricket world cup hosts and hot favorites of the tournament, England have started world cup campaign with a huge victory as they’ve defeated South Africa in the first match by 104 runs. Ben Stokes was awarded Man of The Match for his brilliant all-rounding performance with bat, ball and in the fielding.

The only thing went into South Africa’s favor was winning the toss. Faf Du Plessis won the toss and chose to field first. Their decision seemed to be good one when Imran Tahir dismissed Bairstow in the first over. However after that English batsmen played sensibly and four players Jason Roy, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes smashed fifties to take team’s total past 300.

Ben Stokes was the leading run scorer of England innings as he made 89. Lungi Ngidi took three wickets for Proteas. South Africa got an ordinary start as openers De Kock and Markram put 36 runs on the board while chasing 312 target. After that wickets fall at regular time intervals and African team couldn’t recover from that.

Jofra Archer took 3 wickets in Proteas innings meanwhile Plunkett and Stokes dismissed 2-2 batsmen each. South Africa was in the role of chasing such target with the half-centuries from Quinton de Kock and Rassie Van Der Dussen but couldn’t finish off things in favor of Proteas.

Brief Scores

Toss: South Africa won toss and chose to ball first
England: 311/8, 50 overs (Stokes-89 runs, Morgan-57 runs, Ngidi-3 wickets)
South Africa: 207 all out, 39.5 overs (De Kock- 68 runs, van der Dussen- 50 runs, Archer- 3 wickets)
Result: England won by 104 runs
Player of the match: Ben Stokes

England will now face Pakistan in their next match on 3rd June at Trent Bridge meanwhile South Africa to meet Bangladesh on 2 June at The Oval.