England, which defeated South Africa handsomely in the Test series, also managed to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series against South Africa. The Proteas will be keen for a comeback and draw the series level when they face England for the second one-dayer at St. George's Park in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
The visitors looked in superb form in the first ODI where they defeated the home team by 39 runs via D/L method. It was their batsmen who tore apart the South African bowlers as they piled up an incredible 399 runs in their allotted 50 overs, with some brilliant hitting by Jos Buttler as the wicket-keeper batsman scored a 76-ball 105.
Apart from Buttler, other batsmen such as Alex Hales (57), Ben Stokes (57) and Joe Root (52) scored with their bats for the visitors. Moeen Ali was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets against his name.
England batsmen will be keen to come up with a repeat performance and help their team take a healthy 2-0 lead in the series as it will also inch them closer to a series win. However, it is not going to be any easy with South African team, who are hurt with their first ODI loss, expected to come out all guns blazing in the second one-day international.
Despite being asked to chase down a score of 399 runs, South Africa were more than decent and was also on course for a win with Quniton de Kock unbeaten on 138 runs when rains disrupted the game and dashed hopes of a major win for the home team.
Kock hopes he can play such knocks in the series to help his team register a victory.
"I haven't scored a hundred like that in a while so it was nice to stay in. Unfortunately because of the rain, I couldn't carry the team, but I'm sure there will be many more opportunities to do that," de Kock was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.
"It was touch and go but pushing to England's side. It was a bit of steep total but we would have done our best to get there, given the chance."
Though both the teams' players will concentrate on the second ODI, they might be distracted by the 2016 IPL Player Auction, which is also set for Saturday in Bengaluru. Among a number of players, Jos Buttler, who has put forward a massive claim for a mega deal with his last century, wants to focus in the ODI match.
"Obviously, I have no control over anything that is going on there. I'll be interested to know what happens but I think it will be pretty easy being involved in a full-blooded one-day international. That needs all the attention it requires," Buttler was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.
Where to watch live
South Africa vs England 2nd ODI is scheduled 10am local time (1:30pm IST, 8am GMT) start with Live TV coverage in India on Ten Cricket while all the South Africa vs England 2nd ODI action can also be watched via live streaming online on Ten Sports live.
Sky Sports 2 will broadcast the 2nd ODI live in the UK and Ireland with the option to stream option on Sky Go and Watch Sky Sports.
Viewers in South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa can watch the South Africa vs England 2nd ODI live on SuperSport; live streaming onSuperSport Live Video.
Viewers in the US can watch the match live on Willow TV, with live streaming on Willow TV Online.
