Eoin Morgan played a stunning innings of 85 not out off 45 balls as England won a rain-affected first Twenty20 international against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium on Friday. England piled up 202 for six and won by one run according to the Duckworth/Lewis method when rain stopped play with South Africa on 127 for three after 13 overs.
The left-handed Morgan and captain Paul Collingwood shrugged off a poor start and launched a savage assault on the South African bowlers in a fourth wicket partnership of 98 off 55 balls. South African skipper Graeme Smith and Loots Bosman batted equally aggressively in an opening stand of 97 off 55 balls which threatened to take the game away from England. But South Africa lost three wickets in successive overs as rain started to fall. The second and final match in the series will be played at Centurion on Sunday.