England’s top-order will go into the five-match ODI series against South Africa full of confidence, having notched up impressive scores in the two-match warm-up series against South Africa Invitational XI.
While openers Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy registered centuries, Joe Root and Joe Denly crossed the 80-run mark. Roy’s 99-ball 104 came in the first game, as he slammed eight fours and two sixes on Friday. It was an impressive knock from the opener, who was the only England player to cross 30 runs in that game. He helped the visitors register a competitive 240, which they defended by 77 runs.
Almost all bowlers chipped in during the chase, with Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Tom Curran and Matthew Parkinson picking up two wickets each.
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⚪ ▶#SAvENG pic.twitter.com/hB6E2XkJFD— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 30, 2020
Other members of the batting order stepped up in the second game on Saturday, as Dawid Malan came in for Roy. The left-hander was dismissed for a two-ball duck, but his opening partner reached the three-figure mark. Bairstow scored an 83-ball 100 at the top of the order, registering 11 fours and four sixes in his blistering knock.
The opener retired after the effort, as Root and Denly spent more time in the middle. Root notched up an 89-ball 91, while Denly scored 85 runs off 63 balls. England registered a strong total of 346-7 after 50 overs.
SA XI’s target, however, was truncated to 188, as DLS reduced the chase to 30 overs. The hosts needed 85 runs off the final 10 overs, as a stern test was presented to the England bowlers. The visitors could not reign in the batsmen and SA XI won on the final ball of the game, with four wickets to spare.
"A lot of the lads have throw downs without moving their feet to try and improve their ability to get themselves out of trouble, or to make their hands as efficient as possible."
One to try this season?https://t.co/ibY3RTgHIq
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) February 1, 2020
The form of their lower order might concern England going into the ODI series. Apart from Woakes, who scored a 49-ball 38 in the first game, no lower-order batsman crossed 30 in both warm-ups.
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With Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan and Tom Curran all in the mix for the same spots, it will be interesting to see how England line up in the first ODI.
The series will also mark the return of Moeen Ali, who will be back in the national squad after an extended break from international cricket. The first game will be played at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town on February 4.
