The ICC 2019 Cricket World Cup was a much-awaited tournament in the cricket calendar. England, who invented the game itself was hosting the ICC mega event. On this day, England registered an emphatic win of 104 runs against South Africa in the opening match of the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

Winning the toss, South Africa decided to bowl first at the Oval. England openers Jason Roy and Johnny Bairstow walked out for the English team. Jason Roy started the world cup on a very bright note scoring a solid 54 in 53 balls. Unlike Roy, Johnny Bairstow got dismissed in the second ball of the innings. The English opener edged off-spinner Imran Tahir’s ball straight back to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.

Joe Root joined Jason Roy on the crease as the duo shared a 106-run partnership. Captain Eoin Morgan and Joe Root registered individual fifties as England looked to set a solid target. Ben Stokes top-scored with 89 as England ended with a mammoth 311 for eight on board in their stipulated 50 overs.

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Chasing 312 runs to win, South Africa began the chase well. Current Limited overs captain and opener Quinton de Kock scored 68 runs off 74 balls. QDK’s fellow opening partner Hasim Amla was retired hurt after Jofra Archer’s bouncer hit him bad. However, Amla returned onto the crease to bat again but couldn’t make much of a difference being dismissed at a mere 13 runs.

Liam Plunkett played a crucial role as the bowler dismissed both the English openers. What followed after Amla’s retirement was batting collapse as Jofra Archer Ran riot across South Africa’s middle-order. The 25-year old pacer knacked up Makram and skipper Faf Du Plessis cheaply. SA’s Van der Dussen played a fighting inning to reach his 50 from 61 balls before Archer sent him back into the hut.

Ben Stokes’ and Jofra Archer’s bowling spell help England kickoff the ICC mega event with an impressive win. South Africa was bowled out for 207 in 39.5 overs as England won by a mammoth margin of 104 runs.

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Later on, England went on to lift their maiden World Cup triumph and became the 3rd country to win the ICC tournament as Hosts. Playing the finals at Lords, The English team defeated New Zealand in a dramatic final at Lord’s.