Bristol

A thrilling 72 by Tristan Stubbs was not enough for South Africa to avoid a 41-run defeat at the hands of England in the opening T20I on Wednesday.

In an entertaining run-fest, England amassed 234 for six after being put into bat.

The English innings included 20 sixes.

Johnny Bairstow top scored for the hosts with 90 runs off 53 balls. He was helped by Moeen Ali’s 18-ball fifty and Dawid Malan’s 23-ball 43.

Chasing 235, the tourists lost key early wickets.

But Stubbs, who made his international debut against India in the previous T20I series but did not get to bat in the two games he played, showed remarkable boundary-hitting ability.

He clubbed eight sixes and two fours in an electrifying 72 off only 28 balls.

Along the way he recorded the second quickest T20I half-century ever for South Africa but eventually perished with the run-rate sky-rocketing leading to the Proteas finishing on 193 for eight.

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South Africa will have the chance to make immediate amends and square the series at 1-1 when they face England in the second T20I at Cardiff on Thursday.