Hampshire seamer helps England to series lead

Reece Topley claimed a wicket as England drew first blood in the one-day series against South Africa.

By The Newsroom

Published 4th Feb 2016, 12:07 GMT

Updated 4th Feb 2016, 12:10 GMT

Reece Topley in action against Hampshire during his Essex days. Picture: Neil Marshall

The Hampshire left-armer had JP Duminy caught-and-bowled as the tourists beat the Proteas by 39 runs (DL method) in Bloemfontein.

Topley, who made the move to the Ageas Bowl from Essex at the end of last summer, finished with one for 43 as the hosts reached 250 for five when rain intervened.

England had earlier hammered 399 for nine in their 50 overs, with Lancashire’s Jos Buttler smashing 105 from just 76 balls.

Alex Hales (57), Joe Root (52) and Ben Stokes (57) all made half centuries after Jason Roy had got the innings off to a blistering start with 48 from 30 deliveries.

Quinton de Kock led the reply for South Africa and was 138 not out from 96 balls when the match was brought to a premature end.

The second contest in the five-match series takes place on Saturday at Port Elizabeth.