England beat South Africa by 104 runs in Cricket World Cup opener

Eoin Morgan-led England defeated South Africa by 104 runs in the inaugural match of the Cricket World Cup 2019 on Thursday at the Oval stadium. 

Chasing 312 runs to win, South Africa were all out for 207 in 39.5 overs. 

South Africa's top batting order collapsed despite opener Quinton de Kock, who scored 68 runs before losing his wicket to Liam Plunkett. 

Rassie van der Dussen also played a decent knock but could not inspire the team towards victory. 

South Africa also suffered a huge scare as Hasim Amla retired hurt after being hit by a Jofra Archer bouncer but later came to bat again and eventually lost his wicket to Plunkett after scoring 13 runs. 

Earlier, Ben Stokes top-scored with 89 as England posted a solid but not commanding total of 311 for eight. 

Jason Roy, Joe Root and Eoin Morgan also passed fifty in favourable batting conditions, but England were never able to break free from the shackles imposed by a disciplined South African attack.

After being put in to bat, the tournament favourites lost Jonny Bairstow to the second ball of the innings, caught by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock off spinner Imran Tahir, but Roy and Root shared a 106-run partnership to steady the hosts.

Roy never threatened to dismantle the bowling as he has done regularly in recent matches, accumulating 54 runs before he skied Andile Phehlukwayo to Faf du Plessis at mid-off.

Three balls later Root departed for 51, playing a loose drive at Kagiso Rabada to give JP Duminy a simple catch at backward point and leave England on 111 for three.

South Africa continued to bowl tightly as Morgan and Stokes set about rebuilding the innings.

Morgan struck the first six in the 26th over and the captain cleared the ropes twice more in a fourth-wicket partnership of 106.

Morgan, on 57, was brilliantly caught off Tahir by Aiden Markram at long-on, the fielder diving forward to catch the ball inches from the turf, and England failed to cut free.

Jos Buttler made a scratchy 18, Moeen Ali three before he too fell to a superb catch on the boundary by Du Plessis and Chris Woakes 13 as the last 10 overs produced 76 runs to leave the match finely poised at the half-way stage.