While de Kock remained unbeaten on 138 runs off 96 deliveries, du Plessis hit 55 off 44 balls before being dismissed by Moeen Ali.
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But, the 39 runs victory for England must have added lots of confidence in their side and they would look to continue their merry run in today’s second match as well.
Hales took England close to its target with a patient 99 from 124 balls as they reached 263 for five from 46.2 overs.
But special talents like Buttler can make what others have found hard look easy.
It will be interesting to see whether South Africa rest their star pacer Morne Morkel, keeping the upcoming World T20 in mind.
Ben Stokes backed Buttler up with 57 from only 38 balls and no less than eight England players managed to hit at least one six, the first time this has happened.
“I thought 280 was par and I said 300 would have been nice”.
Hales rued missing an worldwide century by just a single for the second time in the limited-overs formats – having also made 99 in a Twenty20 match against West Indies on his home ground at Trent Bridge in 2012.
“The game was in the balance until that over”, Morgan said. “We knew if we took it deep, with Jos in the form he’s in, we’d get over the line”.
Morgan said: “It was hugely satisfying”.
A skilful bowling performance by the left-arm duo of Mohammad Asghar and Wahab Riaz sealed Peshawar Zalmi’s 24-run win against Islamad United in a late match of PSL Friday.
“I felt in good touch coming into this one-day series, and it’s up to me to go back home and work on my four-day cricket as well”. “Those 50-50 calls and 50-50 moments in the game where you have to play well to win the game, we didn’t play well”, he said. It was a class innings and at no stage did he take any risks.
Port Elizabeth was picture ideal for the second game of the series.
England’s success at St George’s Park owed much to Hales, who paced his knock perfectly before being caught down the leg side one short of his hundred. Morgan bowled his spinners through in one spell and they held a tight hold on the innings.
South Africa’s apparent plan to back-load the last 10 overs was looking shaky, with two new men at the crease. It was a crucial difference.
Prediction: South Africa will lift for a win to tie the series. Jordan’s range anyway. It was a chance that was available to few. His agility enabled him to turn and run and take an up and under catch that fell from behind his shoulder.
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Hales endured a chastening start to his Test career, averaging just 17 in four Tests against South Africa, and while he feels the experience will stand him in good stead he is happy to be in the more comfortable surroundings of white-ball cricket.
