MATCH CENTRE

South Africa make promising start

Despite losing Quinton de Kock early on, South Africa made a steady start in Chester-le-Street with Janneman Malan and Rassie van der Dussen putting together a century partnership for the second wicket. Van der Dussen took on the role of aggressor in the stand as Malan held up one end. The partnership set the stage for South Africa to dominate the latter half of the innings, but before Malan could make his good start count, he fell for 57, trying to clear deep mid-wicket against Moeen Ali.

Van der Dussen, Markram give the innings momentum

Aiden Markram carried on from where Malan left off while van der Dussen pressed the foot on the pedal further in the sweltering heat in England. The hosts' attempt to slow down the run rate with spin didn't quite work out with Markram and van der Dussen milking the three England spinners for runs.

Van der Dussen completed his third ODI hundred in the 38th over and Markram followed suit in the next over by getting to the half-century mark. At 244/2 after 40 overs, South Africa appeared well set to scale the 350-run mark, especially with the England bowlers tiring in the heat.

England slow things down with spin

Given the fast outfield and a true wicket, South Africa would have wanted at least 350 on board given their solid start, but it never quite materialised as England turned to spin to put a leash on the big hits. Van der Dussen and Markram struggled for timing with the latter soon heaving one straight to the fielder off Liam Livingstone to be dismissed for 77. Livingstone turned the screws further when he had van der Dussen dismissed for 133, cleaned up by a flatter delivery.

South Africa's dream start quickly started going downhill as David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen also struggled to time the old ball. Miller found a few inside edges, one even ricocheting onto the stumps, without dislodging the bail, to fetch a few boundaries. Notably, South Africa ended up making 333 without a single six in their innings.

England start well, but Markram pulls it back

Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow put on a century stand to kickstart England's run-chase, but it wasn't a bed of roses for the England openers. Bairstow, helped by an early dropped catch from David Miller, compiled a half-century, but Roy fell for 43, with skipper Keshav Maharaj sending back the opener.

South Africa turned to part-time off-spinner Markram around mid-innings and the move reaped rewards immediately. Bairstow was trapped in front while attempting a sweep shot off Markram and South Africa had the much-needed breakthrough. Markram struck again two overs later, dismissing Ben Stokes, playing his final ODI, for five.

The late flourish never arrives

Wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals for England with Tabraiz Shamsi getting rid of Jos Buttler and Lungi Ngidi cleaning up Livingstone off an inside edge. Moeen was lured into a slog sweep and top edged one the next over to leave England struggling at 199/6.

Joe Root, meanwhile, made his 36th ODI fifty, trying to take the game deep. In Sam Curran, Root found some company and the duo put on a half-century stand to bring the equation down to 99 needed in seven overs. Curran smashed a couple of boundaries and Root added one next over, but Anrich Nortje sent back both in the space of three balls to put an end to England's fight. Nortje finished with a four-wicket haul as South Africa wrapped things up.