Cricket World Cup 2019, England vs South Africa: Ben Stokes inspires victory in opening match
Re-live the action from the opening match of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup
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Your support makes all the difference.England kicked off their home World Cup with a crushing 104-run victory over South Africa, Ben Stokes capping an inspirational all-round performance with a one-handed catch that will go down among the greatest in tournament history.
Stokes top-scored with 89 as the hosts posted 311 for eight at a sold out Oval and finished the match with two wickets in as many balls but his best moment came while he was stationed at deep midwicket - a quite astonishing leaping effort with his outstretched right hand seeing off Andile Phehlukwayo.
On any other day the spotlight might have shone on Jofra Archer, who underlined his fast-growing superstar status with three for 27 and a bouncer that forced Hashim Amla to retreat to the pavilion for concussion tests, but Stokes' flash of inspiration lit a fuse under this competition. Re-live the action in the blog below.
Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the Cricket World Cup, kicking off with the tournament hosts England against South Africa.
The Proteas have just won the toss and have elected to field first at The Oval, meaning the likes of Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow will be looking to post an imposing total that proves too much for South Africa to chase down.
Follow all the action live here throughout the day.
South Africa win the toss and chose to BOWL
If there's anything in that wicket, it's probably in that first hour," says South Africa captain Faf du Plessis after winning a good toss.
"The wicket looks really good and it shouldn't change throughout the day," concedes Eoin Morgan.
England team
James Vince, Tom Curran, Mark Wood and Liam Dawson make way as Jofra Archer and Liam Plunkett get the nod in Morgan's 11.
South Africa are without Dale Steyn, who is unlikely to play until their third game of the tournament.
Morgan: England winning World Cup would help cricket thrive
England Captain Eoin Morgan said that winning the home World Cup will help raise the profile of the game against a backdrop of decreased enthusiasm for cricket across the country.
"The World Cup alone raises the profile of the game and is a platform for every young kid in this country to have a hero or have the inspiration to pick up a ball or a bat," he said.
"To go on and win it, I couldn't imagine what that would do. The impact of the Women's World Cup two years ago was amazing, the women's game is thriving. It would mean a huge amount for us to win it."
"There is a lot of good faith going around from the public with people just looking forward to the tournament and being excited about the whole summer ahead. As a team we're just as excited and we're ready to give it a good crack."
Asked if England were looking to make a statement with the manner of their performance or simply bank their first winning points, Morgan was unequivocal.
"A win under any circumstances," he responded.
Right folks, the waiting is almost over, the countless Eoin Morgan interviews, warm-up matches and English optimism pauses as we begin.
Stay with us for live coverage from The Oval as England play South Africa in the first match of what promises to be a wonderful tournament.
England 1-1
Roy 1 Bairstow 0
The very first over of the World Cup is started with a spinner, what a treat. Imran Tahir begins proceedings, perhaps to catch England and Jason Roy off-guard.
Roy pushes the first delivery and gets a single, which almost becomes a second from an overthrow
England 1-1
BOWLED!
Jonny Bairstow 0
Imran Tahir is celebrating as Bairstow shakes his head after being dismissed after facing his first ball.
Tahir's delivery turns a little bit before bouncing up and touching off Bairstow's defence to Quinton de Kock behind him.
Bairstow is the first opening batsman to be out for a golden duck in a World Cup.
Tahir ends a first over that has been a complete success for South Africa. Faf du Plessis' to go with spin in the first over has certainly paid off.
2.0 England 7-1 Roy 2 (3) Root 6 (9)
Joe Root restores some order and gets the tournament's first boundary with a fine drive to settle a few nerves.
3.0 England 11-1 Roy 4 Root 7
Imran Tahir delivers another good over for South Africa, just five singles as England Roy and Root search for their rhythm.
They will need to make the most of the seam bowlers that will be coming up shortly and keep any damage Tahir does to a minimal.
3 England 16-1 Roy 5 Root 11
Will it move, won't it? It's the question that has been on everyone's lips (okay not all of us) coming into the tournament and Lungi Ngidi has found a tiny bit of movement in his second over. A delivery zips straight past Root and straight to Quinton de Kock as The Oval holds it's breath.
Root has the last laugh as he flicks one for four, but then is almost caught as it carries towards gully but drops just short.
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