Ben Stokes took an incredible catch in the opening game of the Cricket World Cup to dismiss South African all rounder Andile Phehlukwayo and put England on track for a win.
England headed into the 2019 Cricket World Cup on home soil as the favourites to win their first World Cup in the 50 over game.
The home nation have completely turned their fortunes around in the One Day game since the last World Cup in Australia four years ago, when they were knocked out of the group stages after losing to Bangladesh.
In between the last tournament and this one Trevor Bayliss' side have become the best team in the world in the format and have become used to posting huge totals.
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On Thursday they opened the tournament at the Oval against South Africa. The 'Saffers' won the toss and put England in to bat. Eoin Morgan's team could 'only' put 311 on the board.
It looked like a decent score but one that was also easily chaseable. At 129-3 South Africa were still in with a chance but then began regularly losing wickets.
At 180-6 Adil Rashid bowled to Andile Phehlukwayo and the batsman hit it into the leg side. The ball looked destined for a six but all rounder Ben Stokes leapt to take an amazing catch:
The catch rounded off what was a very good day for Stokes. The all rounder came to the crease with England at 111-3, after Jonny Bairstow had gone for a duck at 1-1.
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His 89, including a partnership of over 100 with Eoin Morgan, took England to a total of 311. In the modern era of ODIs it was far from a guaranteed win.
However South Africa didn't make England sweat. A Jofra Archer bouncer hit Hashim Amla on the head which caused the opener to leave the field before the quick bowler took the opening wicket.
The West Indian born all rounder, who only became eligible for England this summer, ended up with three wickets to his name as the hosts won comfortably.
Stokes catch left their opponents needing another 122 runs with just three wickets and 16 overs remaining and the Durham player also took the final two wickets of Kagiso Rabada and Imran Tahir, after Amla had returned, to complete a great all round day.
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England are on their way in the World Cup, can they win it?
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