Flat track, short boundaries, and endlessly aggressive batting: England launched 20 sixes then held off an almighty onslaught from South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs to take victory in a dizzying opening T20 at Bristol.
On a night of breathtaking batting, England’s second-highest T20 total (234) looked, as Stubbs launched 72 from 28 balls, like it might not be enough. But cool-headed death bowling, particularly from Chris Jordan, took them to victory. The margin was 41 runs, but for periods of the chase it felt much closer than that.
