Relive England's 'monumental' 399

1. Match abandoned: SA 250-5 (33.3)
2. De Kock 138* off 96 balls
3. England's second highest ODI total
4. Buttler 105 off 76, Stokes 57, Hales 57
5. England lead 1-0 in five-match series

Is there anything else to say? I don't think so. Rain or no rain, England were good for their win in this series opener. Can South Africa get it together for Port Elizabeth on Saturday? Join us at 11:00 GMT to find out.

Man of the match

Man of the match Quinton de Kock, who scored 138 not out for South Africa: "We lost wickets at bad times but we were on line to win it. It is cricket. Things happen. I just tried to give some info to batsmen coming in. It was a good wicket to get in. If the rain didn't come hopefully we could have got over the line."

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Sally Smith: Can't help but think this ODI team will look even better with Vince, Broad and Finn in it somewhere!

'It was a monumental effort'

England captain Eoin Morgan: "It's a nice way to start the series. We would have liked to play a full game; it would have been a fantastic game of cricket.

"You'd take 399 every day - it was a monumental effort. The tone was set by the two openers and continued right down the innings. Jos was phenomenal. He is someone who can certainly change the game."

'It would have been a good finish'

South Africa captain AB de Villiers: "It is not ideal but England played well. They took the momentum and the initiative. It is disappointing that it ended this way. It was a good toss to win and good conditions to bat at the beginning. We can be better at adapting early on in the next game.

"We had a strategic meeting at the break and knew what to do.We were on target but lost one or two wickets too many. We were on with the run-rate and it would have been a good finish."

Presentation time. More tricky questions for AB de Villiers...

Buttler 'one of the best in the world'

England batsman Alex Hales, who made 57 off 47 balls, Sky Sports: "It was pretty much a perfect batting performance.

"We know we can clear the ropes down to number 10. It's nice knowing that everyone in the team can hold their end - and everyone's natural game is to score at a run a ball."

On Jos Buttler's 105 off 76 balls: "In my opinion he's turning himself into one of the best one-day players in the world. What we saw today was fantastic."

Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

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"Unless De Villiers comes to the party and the bowling improves they have a problem beating England. In a five-match series your money is on England. You think of the World Cup and we are light years ahead of that. They take it to the opposition and hit the new ball hard.

"De Villiers will be lucky if he gets to sleep tonight. When you don't get runs and lose your mind is all over the place. He will be worried at the moment."

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Has to be said that if England are ever in the position where all their batsmen click, they will probably need to declare.

Tattz in Nottingham

Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

AFP

"The magic moment of the match was Stokes running, full tilt round the boundary, and he sticks one hand out to catch De Villiers. That was the moment England had the game."  

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David Beckett: Duckworth-Lewis is a more devastating partnership than Ambrose-Walsh, Laker-Lock, McGrath-Warne, Wasim-Waqar or Lillie-Thompson.

Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

AFP

"De Kock was outstanding. He is a talent - I know he can play. It's such an easy, free-flowing batsman. He gave South Africa a sniff but the others got out."

The series to come...

ODI series

• 1st ODI, Bloemfontein: England won by 39 runs (D-L).
• 6 Feb: 2nd ODI, Port Elizabeth, 11:30 GMT
• 9 Feb: 3rd ODI, Centurion, 08:00
• 12 Feb: 4th ODI, Johannesburg, 11:30
• 14 Feb: 5th ODI, Cape Town, 08:00

Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

Rex Features

"I said when Buttler was new to the game that he had to go higher up the order. People who can hurt you need to have as much of the bowling as possible. It is like Viv Richards. Why would you bat him at seven when he can kill teams higher up?

"I thought England were coasting at the end. I thought England couldn't bowl as badly as South Africa and we didn't. We had enough nous to bowl tighter. We were always 15 runs ahead of the game."

England, by the way, have won nine of their 15 completed ODIs since the World Cup.

Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"It looked like it was going to be a high-scoring game - I thought England would get 350. What I didn't realise the inexperience and poorness of the South Africa bowling - they were all at sea. They bowled full, short, wide. Their lack of discipline showed at this level and England plundered runs."

Final scorecard

England won by 39 runs (D-L method) - lead 1-0 in series

England 399-9 (50 overs)

Buttler 105 (79), Stokes 57 (38), Hales 57 (37); Morris 3-74

South Africa 250-5 (33.3 overs)

De Kock 138* (96), Moeen 3-43 

Close of play - England win by 39 runs

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And that is it, a rather damp end to what was bubbling up to an exciting finish. South Africa might feel aggrieved that their chase was curtailed, but England have been the better side today. 

...only a rumour, mind.

I've heard a rumour that this game is over...

Simon Mann

BBC Test Match Special

"The umpires walked on, then walked off towards the dressing rooms."

Embarrassing moments in front of a cricketer

I nudged a guy out the way to grab the hand of Jason Gillespie in a bar in Birmingham to congratulate him on his double century a few weeks earlier for Australia. I turned to leave and realised the guy I'd bumped out the way was then-England captain Michael Vaughan. I slapped him on the knee and wished him a full recovery from his knee ailments.

Andy in Liverpool

Reuters

Still the rain falls, still the covers are in place. I can't believe that we'll get back on tonight.

Embarrassing moments in front of a cricketer

Once when stewarding at the mighty Cobblers, when we shared the ground with NCCC, during an evening game late in the season, I told a spectator to get off the outfield as it was wet and the cricket season was about to start. It was dark so I didn't know who it was. But a certain David Capel was not impressed.

Phil Edwards in Northants

TMS is now reporting that if it is still raining at 19:30, this game will be toast.

Ben, you're opening up a whole new debate there. A time when you've met a cricketer and not realised it.

Embarrassing moments in front of a cricketer

Trying desperately, as a 6 year old, to get an autograph from Darren Gough at Headingley despite him being interviewed by 5 live. Get a telling off from Geoffrey Boycott for my troubles. Sir Geoffrey asks me if I want his autograph, I didn't know who he was. I said no. Sorry Geoffrey, I'd say yes now!!

Ben in Yorkshire

Embarrassing moments in front of a cricketer

I once stopped Micheal Holding at Trent Bridge for a photo. Bring rather intoxicated I proceeded to try and jump on his back and rub his head saying it would give me luck with my bowling. It really didn't.

Tom

Ah. I'm hearing word that the wet stuff has returned. Perhaps time to start making other plans.

No further news on the weather just yet. There are 68 minutes left for us to get some cricket in.

Embarrassing moments in front of a cricketer

I once waited outside a Lord's Test in 2006 for ages to get an England shirt signed for my sister by Alastair Cook. When he finally came out, as he was signing it, I just looked at him and said "My sister really likes you". The awkward silence that followed was worse than watching an episode of the Inbetweeners with your Mum.

Patrick Vanderpant

If the rain has stopped, then we need to get cleared up sharpish. Whatever happens, we won't be getting in the 16.3 overs that remain.

Embarrassing moments in front of a cricketer

Totum: Embarrassing moments in front of cricketers. Bowling to de Kock earlier. Thanks C Jordan.

I'm hearing some chat that the game has to be completed by 20:18 GMT. The countdown is on.

Nope...

TV is going back to highlights from the start of the day, so that's an indication what we won't be seeing any live cricket for a while. I wonder if a second look at the first innings will make South Africa's bowling performance any better?

Embarrassing moments in front of a cricketer

Star struck in a coffee shop in Nottingham in 2005 the day before the Test match, and being confronted by Michael Vaughan, Mrs M asked: "How do you get your whites so white?"

Ewen Macgregor

Rex Features

As a reminder, rain stopped play with South Africa 250-5 after 33.3 overs. They are well behind England's 399-9 on the Duckworth-Lewis method, so if we don't get back on, England will be 1-0 up in this series.

Embarrassing moments in front of a cricketer

I trod on Darren Gough's feet in a pub in Adelaide during the Ashes in 2006. I apologised by saying "Oh God sorry Freddie!" He just laughed and said "No worries mate, but I'm not bloody Freddie!! Felt like a right muppet!

Ash Stockton in Taunton

Neil Manthorp

BBC Test Match Special

"It's a time issue. 9.15 is the scheduled finish, I guess we can go to 10.15. It's 8.50 now, so I doubt we'll have a decision before 9.30."

Streaker! One naked fella does a big Klinsmann dive across the slippery covers. He's naked, which you have to be in order to be classed as a streaker. If you keep your clothes on, you're merely a pitch invader.

Embarrassing moments in front of cricketers

Being stunned to meet Sir Ian Botham an hour before start of test match at Trent Bridge.

He said: "I see you are keen."

I replied: My bus was early."

He walked away.

Christopher Corp

The ground staff are now wheeling huge tyres on to the square and using them to weigh the covers down. Not exactly a sign that we'll be getting more play in the near future.

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Howard Horner: Can Duckworth-Lewis take into account the changes the game has seen? The power of scoring in the last 10 overs is absurd!

Out of interest, how often is the Duckworth-Lewis method updated? How regularly does the data catch up with modern scoring rates?

Embarrassing moments in front of a cricketer

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I once told Mark Ramprakash that he had 100 more centuries than me, but I was only 2 behind in Tests. Wasn't impressed.

Mal

Bucketing down in central South Africa now. Start decreasing those chances of further play.

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Gett

Graeme Edgar: Jordan having a bad day but no need for Eng fans to pile on him, he's not Dernbaching just yet.

Hmmm, a lot of those Jordan boundaries have been from deliveries on the pads of De Kock. Jordan has struggled against the left-hander.

Where Jordan has leaked runs

Opta

It's looks to be fairly pelters in Bloemfontein. There's a chance this might be terminal. Only a chance, mind. We do have time to play with.

I once had shocker with Vettori. In an Irish bar at the end of last year's World Cup, the only thing I could think of saying was "you're brilliant". He told me that he had to leave.

Embarrassing moments in front of cricketers

Once met Ian Bell in a pub playing pool. He was with another Warwickshire player - my mate asked if he was Tony Frost and they all fell about laughing. We couldn't work it out until we realised it wasn't Tony Frost but Daniel Vettori!

Anonymous

Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"I don't think Duckworth-Lewis is right. It's a good system and I applaud the men who came up with it, but batting second is more difficult than it should be." 

Rain stops play

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Some huge blue sheets are dragged on to the ground by groundstaff wearing the sort of ponchos you use on the log flume. After 34 overs, the D-L par score would be 290 so, if they don't get back out there, England will go 1-0 up. We're a long way from this match being pulled, though.

Simon Mann

BBC Test Match Special

"There's lightning away to our left."

Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"They've got to go off."

Rain stops play

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In fact, it's got heavy pretty quickly, heavy enough for the umpires to take us off. England are in the dressing room almost before the bails are removed. They are miles ahead on Duckworth-Lewis.

SA 250-5

Farhaan Behardien is the new man, arriving as drizzle just starts to fall. Chris Jordan, perhaps because he has a hypnotic hold on Eoin Morgan, remains in the attack, serving up a half-volley for Behardien to get off the mark. Very quiet in Bloemfontein, perhaps the crowd think the game is up. Or maybe it's because of the rain...

Ebony Rainford-Brent

Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special

"Pace off the ball has done it here. Rilee Rossouw tried to force it a bit too hard. Brilliant for England - they needed that breakthrough."

WICKET

Reuters

England - and Moeen Ali - keep chipping away. At the end of a very tight Moeen over, Rilee Rossouw lofts down the ground, can only connect with the toe of the bat and gives long-off David Willey a very simple catch. Wickets in hand remain South Africa's biggest nemisis.

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AFP

Luke Prater: This is absurd. Broad is available but doesn't make the team over the likes of Jordan?! Broad best bowler in the world atm.

Jon Dunn: Time & time again Jordan shows he's not good enough to be an ODI bowler. How do the selectors not see this?

Ebony Rainford-Brent

Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special

"Chris Jordan's second spell has gone the same way as the first. England have got options - you'd think they would have made changes."

SA 243-4 (Jordan 5-0-51-0)

Still Jordan, still going round the park, this time with Rossouw belting a wide half-volley through the covers for four. I wonder how much more we'll see of Jordan in this match - England have got options. I also wonder if we'll see more of him in this series. It would take a lot to convince me that Stuart Broad isn't a better man for this team on this evidence.

Where De Kock has scored his runs

Opta

Drinks break

The players are taking drinks in the Bloemfontein night. Quinton de Kock is being seen to by the physio, flat on his back and having his legs fondled. South Africa need 164 runs from 19 overs.

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De Knock

JP, London

SA 236-4 (De Kock 135, Rossouw 12)

There are a few worrying sights away from the middle. One is the armed policemen, the other two huge men at the back of the England seating area. Behind the coaches, they are two large, Onslow-like chaps in England gear. When did they hire scrummaging experts? Stokes, previously so good, is loose here. Too short, hooked for four by De Kock, who now has his highest ODI score. England need De Kock out.

Simon Mann

BBC Test Match Special

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"England can't stem the flow. You just can't stop the runs coming. It's been like that all day." 

SA 229-4

Whall-oppp! Stokes to De Kock, biffed for a maximum over cow corner.

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George Spooner: Chris Jordan is useless.

James Gulleford: Anyone know why Jordan gets in the England team? Ok he can bat a bit but he doesn't know where to bowl! Broad should be playing!

Wayne Ellis: I'd be disappointed to get out to Chris Jordan, and I haven't held a bat in years. Pedestrian, brainless bowling... 

SA 223-4 (Jordan 4-0-44-0)

From the miserly Ben Stokes to the generous Chris Jordan, who arrives with figures of 0-35 from three overs and thinks the best way of improving those figures is to dish up some leg-stump half-volleys. Twice he's taken to the fence by De Kock. Jordan's four overs have cost 11 runs apiece.

Embarrassing moments in front of a cricketer

I once told Matt Prior he would never play for England...

Nick on the train to Ely

SA 214-4 (Stokes 4-0-18-0)

Ben Stokes, 55 on his back, slips in, continuing some pretty miserly work. Sweat on his forehead, bandage on his right arm, a swatted Rossouw boundary from the final ball not doing a great deal to spoil Stokes' figures. His economy rate is 4.50. No one else in this match has gone at better than 6.00 an over.

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Paul Hawkins: If this carries on Ben Stokes should be on the front cover of Time Magazine, never mind Wisden.

SA 207-4 (need 193 from 22 overs)

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There's lightning in the distance. If you've got a Thunder Buddy, it might be time to get in bed with them. Still the tattooed left-arm of Reece Topley, going through his variations, but belted back down the ground by Rossouw. Very questionable moustache from Rossouw. Almost as bad as David Warner's. Almost.

Vic Marks

Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"England now hold most of the cards - but not all of them."

SA 199-4 (target 400)

Rillee Rossouw, the left-hander who sounds like a character from Neighbours, is the new man. Stokes, finding extra bounce, continues to do an excellent job.

That tweet from Joseph (24 overs) reminds me of the time I met Mike Atherton. Athers is my absolute hero and I could barely get my words out, making myself look a right wally. Do let me know of the times you've embarrassed yourself in front of a cricketer. 

Simon Hughes

BBC Test Match Special

"Brilliant little slower ball. That was one of Topley's excellent changes of pace."

Vic Marks

Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"It's clever bowling and it's the virtue of the back-of-the-hand variation. Topley stuffed him there and De Kock played much too early. Every wicket increases the pressure on South Africa, but De Kock is still there..."

WICKET

Getty Images

Gone! A wonderful piece of bowling by Reece Topley totally deceives JP Duminy. A lovely slower ball, Duminy through his shot too early, poking the simplest of catches back to the bowler. Run-rate not a problem for South Africa, but wickets in hand certainly are.

Neil Manthorp

BBC Test Match Special

"There's an air of tension in the crowd. Either the bars are about to close or the game is finely poised. Perhaps both."

SA 188-3

AP

That's enough excitement for me. I'll hand you back to Stephan Shemilt for what promises to be a thrilling climax.

Neil Manthorp

BBC Test Match Special

"He has a very, very bright future. It's been a beautifully paced innings."

Vic Marks

Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"He's just looked in very good touch. He hasn't searched for the big shots and they haven't bowled very well at him."

100 for De Kock

Rex Features

De Kock, on the other hand, is batting like a dad in the garden against his kids. When Stokes targets his pads, De Kock clips for four behind square. That's his century - off only 67 deliveries. Jos Buttler, eat your heart out.

Jos Buttler's ODI 100s

AFP

SA 183-3

Stokes is so good he's even allowed a slip. Two successive dots to Duminy, who finally gets off strike with a whipped pull for one.

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Joseph Bentley: Remember when I told Ben Stokes at the darts he was no Marcus Trescothick? Well, I think he might have proved me wrong.

SA 181-3 (De Kock 95, Duminy 11)

England captain Eoin Morgan turns to Reece Topley. The lanky leftie mixing up yorkers with short stuff to successfully keep South Africa in check. Quinton De Kock is now within one shot of three figures.

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James Bailey: Ben Stokes one handed catch with the LCD screen behind him reading 'THE ULTIMATE ALL-ROUNDER' perfect, couldn't write it!

SA 177-3 (required run-rate 8.25)

Frame that! The ball beats the bat as Stokes beats Duminy's prod with one that keeps a smidge low. A rare moment of bowler getting one up on batsman today. Two off the over. England will certainly take that.

Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"I hope I'm still alive in three years to watch Ben Stokes' development."

Rashid out of the attack with figures of 0-42 off six overs. Ben Stokes on in his place. The odds on something happening here? Short, I'd say.

Vic Marks

Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

Rex Features

"South Africa are up with the rate more or less. The game is not done and dusted by any stretch of the imagination. England hold most of the cards but it is not over."

SA 175-3 (target 400)

Moeen's five overs have cost 41 but he has got two of the three wickets so far.

Not out

The technology suggests it would have grazed leg stump, but not hitting enough of it to have the decision overturned. De Kock is still there.

Vic Marks

Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"I don't think that's going to work. It's too high and not turned much."

England review

Moeen fancies that lbw against De Kock. It's turned down on the field but England think there might be a chance with a review. 

Vic Marks

Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

Reuters

"It's been a good day for wicketkeepers who can bat a bit."

SA 172-3

De Kock goes large. Again. Moeen is pummelled over mid-wicket for another six. I feel like I've written that already today...

Vic Marks

Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"He has bowled quite nicely for a while, Rashid, but suddenly he is leaking runs quite freely. I am wondering if it is time for someone else?"

SA 166-3 (De Kock 83, Duminy 8)

Any momentum England had disappeared in the blink of that over from Rashid, containing two fours and a three (and that thanks only to another fine piece of fielding from Stokes). South Africa fighting fire with fire.

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Theo Bowyer: Stokes... A magnet in the field. Stupendous catch!

Benjamin Fox: Ben Stokes. One of the greatest catches I've ever seen.

As good as Stokes' catch off Stuart Broad at Trent Bridge? If that one was more instinct and reflexes, this was pure athletic ability and hand-eye co-ordination. Perhaps most tellingly, Stokes didn't even look that surprised that he'd held it. You won't see many better than that. Quite remarkable.

Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

Rex Features

"If it doesn't rain now, he's messed up. That's the problem with the rain, you get caught in two minds. Now they have no chance."  

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Jon Dunn: WHAT A CATCH!!! What a wicket!!!

Simon Mann

BBC Test Match Special

gett

"He's off like man who's just scored a goal in the cup final."

WICKET

What a catch! A blinder! A scorcher! Guess who? Ben Stokes of course. De Villiers lifts Moeen to long-on, where Stokes charges to his right and plucks the ball out of the air with one hand. He was traveling, and the ball had gone past him. How on earth has he held on to that? Answers on a postcard please because I don't have a clue.

Simon Mann

BBC Test Match Special

"I just wonder if that storm has gone away."

SA 147-2 (target 400)

Good over for South Africa. Very good over. Four leg-byes as Rashid drifts down leg, De Kock - in imperious form - drives for four over mid-off, then sweeps for another, albeit thanks to a misfield in the deep. De Kock has 77 off only 54 balls.

SA 133-2

Remember, we need 20 overs before messrs Duckworth and Lewis can have a say in this game. South Africa need 36 off the next two overs to reach the 20-over par score. No wonder Adil Rashid is jogging to the start of his mark. England in a hurry.

Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"I think rain is coming. Look at the huge wind that has just arrived. England need to get 20 overs in quick."

SA 133-2 (target 400)

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De Kock certainly likes Moeen Ali. Not in a friendly sense. More in a 'Can you bowl at me more often, please' kind of way. He collects his third six with another mighty mow.

Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"This is a good time to bowl at AB de Villiers. He's just made three noughts in Test cricket."

SA 124-2 (target 400)

AB de Villiers' entrance doesn't often overshadowed. But the South Africa captain, arguably the greatest one-day batsman in the world, is now at the crease. Adil Rashid whirls away - his variations. The wind has picked up in Bloemfontein - flags whipping and shirts blowing like crazy. Is rain on its way?

Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"That's wonderful. What a way to do it, Lenox."

In more important news, a chap in the crowd has just proposed via a message on the giant screen. I wonder if he was waiting for a wicket to fall before he gave the screen operators the signal. Don't worry, she said yes.

Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"He didn't try to hit it for six, but ended up hitting it to the longest part of the ground. It was a nice lofted drive. If he wanted to, he could have hit that harder. He didn't give it the Full Monty."

WICKET

AP

Du Plessis down the wicket once more, whipping to leg once more... but this time he doesn't quite get the distance and Alex Hales barely has to move to take a straightforward catch.

SA 118-1

I think we can safely say that this is a batsman's game. Moeen drifts down leg and De Kock gets down on one knee to swing him high over the advertising boards for another maximum.

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Is this the same Faf Du Plessis who played in the Test series? It amazes me what a change of clothing and ball colour does for some players.

Matthew Roberts

SA 111-1 (run-rate 7.4)

Rashid keeps on tossing it up, the reprieved Du Plessis punches down the ground. This is almost entering middle-over syndrome. South Africa almost scoring at will now. Six off the over.

Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"I've seen this lad before and I think he's talented. He's got shots, he can bat down the order and he can keep. He'll hang on to his place in the Test side too."

50 for De Kock

Rex Features

The milestones keep coming. Quinton De Kock follows Du Plessis to 50 thanks to another couple - and a dive to make his ground. That took only 37 balls. Well batted.

Simon Hughes

BBC Test Match Special

"In a way, it's slightly surprising he took so long to review out, given how much it turned."

Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"That's great advice from De Kock to review it."

SA 105-1 (target 400)

Not out. I repeat, not out. Ball-tracker suggests the ball is going down the leg side and Du Plessis survives. Smiles all round for the South Africa batsmen.

Geoffrey Boycott

Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

"It looked straight."

Simon Hughes

BBC Test Match Special

"I reckon he's out."

South Africa review

But Moeen gets his man. Or does he? Faf du Plessis is struck on the front pad as he works across the line. The umpire's finger goes up, but Du Plessis wants another look...