De Kock, Amla power SA to 229/4

South Africa rode on belligerent half centuries from Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla and Jean-Paul Duminy to post a record total of 229 for 4 against England in the ICC World Twenty20 on Friday.

A near-century opening partnership between right-handed Amla (58 in 31 balls) and left-handed de Kock (52 in 24 balls) set the stage for left handers Duminy (54 not out in 24 balls) and David Miller (24 not out in 11 balls) to finish the innings with a flourish with an unconquered stand of 60 in 27 balls. Wicket keeper batsman de Kock set the stage alight with an all-out attack in the power play before departing for a quick-fire 24-ball 52, inclusive of 3 sixes and 7 fours in the Super 10 Group 1 game at the Wankhede Stadium.

Amla, playing second fiddle initially, opened up later to smack 58 in 31 balls with an identical number of fours and sixes as the opening duo gave the Proteas a flying start of 96 in 7.1 overs. Later, Jean-Paul Duminy struck 3 sixes and as many fours to make sure the early blast did not go to waste and the team ended with their highest and third 200-plus score in the tournament’s history. Miller struck the last ball for his second six. 1st innings report