After defeating South Africa in the first two games of the series, England’s bowling looked toothless in the third game in Centurion where the Proteas chased down 319 easily riding on the centuries from Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla.
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But then Ben Stokes joined Root in a fifth-wicket stand of 82 in eight overs that took England’s total from the average to the strong.
Broad has not played in the ODIs since the 2015 World Cup group game against Afghanistan but his presence will add quality to England’s bowling.
England captain Eoin Morgan admitted: “I certainly thought at half-time that we would win the game”.
Stuart Broad’s anticipated one-day worldwide return was confirmed by England at the toss as South Africa opted to bowl first at the Wanderers.
Root and Hales could not dominate initially on a surface of pace but some unpredictability too – and a clutch of mistimed shots and assorted edges each, between those off the middle, all fell safe.
AB de Villiers had suggested he might attack him with a couple of slips on the highveld, after Buttler finished Saturday’s match at Port Elizabeth in the blink of an eye.
Morgan then struggled for eight runs from 24 balls, before chipping to midwicket.
Root was unluckily run out to end his match tenure, while the momentous progression that lead Stokes to score 53 ended when he had been caught by Farhaan Behardien with a delivery from Kyle Abbott.
The England bowler will take to the field on Tuesday against South Africa in the third one-day worldwide in Centurion, bidding to secure the series with two matches still to play.
South Africa enjoy playing at Johannesburg as it’s one of their favourite grounds, and with all the support that they are due to receive at the ground it will only make them want it even more.
With lightning flashing around the ground early in the South African innings, De Kock and Amla were soon ahead of the required run rate should play have been stopped.
“We got 400 in the first game and without Duckworth-Lewis that would have been a very exciting spectacle as well”.
Last year AB de Villiers scored the fastest ever one day hundred against the Windies in 31 balls as his side racked up 439, and Root reckons the sky is the limit and England simply must adapt to it.
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Three of the four all-time highest ODI totals, between Test nations, were all hit here.
