Opener Aiden Markram's 55-ball 86 led South Africa to a seven-wicket win over England after they bowled out the hosts for a paltry 131 in the first tie of the three-match one-day international series.
England were dismissed in 24.3 overs as Keshav Maharaj took 4-22 and Wiaan Mulder 3-33. Opener Jamie Smith top-scored for England with 54 off 48 balls. South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first after captain Temba Bavuma saw a dry wicket and decided to chase.
The Proteas won with 175 balls to spare after hammering 22-year-old fast bowler Sonny Baker, who made his England debut. Baker, who starred in the recent edition of the Hundred, bowled seven wicketless overs for 76 runs, the most expensive figures by an England bowler on ODI debut. Markram welcomed Baker in the first over by hitting three boundaries in four deliveries.
Markram was caught by Smith at cover with the target only 11 runs away. Adil Rashid (3-26) also removed Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs before Dewald Brevis scored the winning runs with a majestic six.
“It's not good enough. I can't say much more than we've just had a bad day,” England captain Harry Brook said. “Obviously, you want to keep on winning and winning, don't you? You've just got to get rid of these games, I'm afraid. We've got to put it behind us as quickly as possible and move on to the next match,” he said.
The second ODI is at Lord's on Thursday and the third will take place in Southampton on Sunday.
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