Bairstow’s intense knock helps England Conquest over South Africa

Hosts batted first at Newlands posting a respectable target of 179 in 20 overs with Faf du Plessis’ 58 the highlight of the first inning but Jonny Bairstow overshadowed his performance with his own brilliant play of unbeaten 86 off 48 balls as England chased 180 successfully to hand the first defeat to South Africa in T20 International and take an early lead.

Plessis did gives Tom Curran a run for his money smashing 24 runs in his second over to contribute towards seamer’s most expensive number in international Twenty20.

Bairstow entered at a fourth position to help England back on their feet by smashing nine fours and four sixes in unfamiliar territory. The performance would definitely fast-track his selection in England’s starting Xi in the shortest format. The second match of the fixture would be held in Paarl on Sunday.