ENG vs SA: Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali power England to a 41-run victory in a run-scoring extravaganza

The English batter scored a brilliant knock in the first T20I against South Africa.

Bairstow showed his class against Proteas

The 32-year-old scored 90 off just 53 balls, which helped England claim a convincing 41-run victory on Wednesday.

 Malan and Bairstow set the platform for England

Jason Roy departed early, but Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow piled on the runs, stitching a partnership of 71 runs for the third wicket.

The right-left handed duo scored almost 10 runs per over during their stay together at the crease. Dawid Malan was eventually dismissed for 43 off 23 balls, which includes four maximums.

Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow blow away Proteas

Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow put on a 106-run stand for the fourth wicket, which came in the space of just under six overs. The former registered England’s fastest T20I fifty, scoring 52 off 18 balls.

A special mention here for Lungi Ngidi who picked up a five-wicket haul amidst the batting carnage.

Early wickets put a dent into South Africa's hopes

South Africa started off the chase in the worst possible manner, losing Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw in the second over itself. Reeza Hendricks steadied the ship, with a gutsy half-century under pressure. The right-handed batter scored 57 off 33 balls, however, the chase looked far away from the visitors’ grasp.

Tristan Stubbs goes down fighting with a brilliant 72.

Stubbs almost pulled off a miracle

Tristan Stubbs' valiant knock gave the visitors a glimmer of hope. However, after clearing the fence on eight occasions, he was eventually caught at long off by Jason Roy. 

Brief Scores:

England: 234-6, 20 overs
Jonny Bairstow- 90 (53);
Lungi Ngidi- 5-39, 4 overs

South Africa: 193-8, 20 overs
Tristan Stubbs- 72 (28);
Richard Gleeson- 3-51, 4 overs

Read: Allen demolishes helpless Scotland bowling attack with maiden T20I ton