South Africa openers -- Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock – came out all guns blazing in the first six overs, scoring 83 runs during the powerplay at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Friday. Amla and Kock was so efficient that England had to use five bowlers in the powerplay, still, they could not stop the run flow. Kock scored 20-ball 46 while Amla was also brilliant, scoring 37 runs from 16 balls.
England might have won the toss and decided to bowl first, but captain Eoin Morgan must be regretting his decision after such a wonderful batting display from the Proteas' openers. South Africa scored two runs only from the first over, but after which, the Proteas batsmen were in a different mood.
Amla and Kock was aggressive in their batting approach. The second over produced 15 runs, third (20), fourth (13), fifth (22) and sixth (11). It was a treat to watch the South Africa openers score runs without taking massive risks.
They played some wonderful shots including the majestic cover drive, delicate dabs and flicks for boundaries. Amla and Kock showed that runs can be scored at a brisk rate, playing normal cricket shots as well. What surprised cricket fans even more was their ability to split the gaps with perfection.
Among all the England bowlers, it was Chris Jordan, who was the most expensive bowler for England during the powerplay. Amla hit four 4s and one six in his solitary over. Jordan would not have suffered such a fate had Reece Topley not dropped Amla in the previous over.
With such a start provided by the South Africa openers, the Proteas will be disappointed if they fail to get 200 runs with batsmen such as AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis and David Miller to follow.
