Joe Denly defied illness to score the first century of England's tour of South Africa when he made 103 on the first day of a non-first-class three-day match against South Africa A at Willowmoore Park on Friday.
England finished the day on 337 for five after winning the toss. Rory Burns (56) and Ollie Pope (70 not out) also hit half-centuries, while Ben Stokes made 47 in his first appearance on the tour.
Denly said he was one of the victims of an illness which has spread through the touring team but said his case was "not as bad as some of the boys". Front-line bowlers Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer and Jack Leach stayed at the team hotel and have yet to bowl in a match situation in the build-up to the first Test against South Africa starting in Centurion on Thursday.
"I've had a mild case, with flu-like symptoms," said Denly. "I'm alright now but it's quite sapping heat out there so I was a bit tired towards the end."
Denly hit 15 boundaries in a 192-ball innings before being run out in the last over before the second new ball was due. "It was quite a slow wicket so it took some getting used to but once you were in you could score some runs," he said. The illness to key bowlers caused England to request that the game be downgraded from what had been planned as a first-class fixture. It also caused England to send for Somerset duo Craig Overton and Dom Bess to be flown out as cover. They are due to arrive on Saturday.
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