South Africa set England 334 to win the first one-day international

Rassie van der Dussen hit a masterful century to help South Africa set England 334 to win in the first one-day international between the two teams in Durham.

Ben Stokes announced that this would be his final match for England’s 50-over side on Monday as he looks to manage his workload, and the all-rounder would have been praying for Jos Buttler to win the toss so that his side could bat first in the sweltering heat.

However, it was the visitors who called correctly, and it left a simple decision for stand-in captain Keshav Maharaj to put England into the field.

Opener Janneman Malan also ensured South Africa got off to a positive start in Durham

England now have a tough task to win Ben Stokes’s final match for the 50-over team

Opening pair Janneman Malan and Quinton De Kock made a positive start, before the latter misjudged the length of a Sam Curran off-cutter and was bowled while trying to play a pull shot.

This brought van der Dussen to the crease, and he looked at ease from the outset of his innings.

With the pitch offering England’s bowlers very little, and debutant Matthew Potts off the pitch after feeling unwell in the heat, Malan and van der Dussen built an impressive partnership, picking the gaps effortlessly and running hard between the wickets, despite the extreme conditions.

Sam Curran bowled Quinton De Kock but South Africa then went on to dominate with the bat

Van der Dussen came in and played a full array of shots from the start of his innings

Van der Dussen and Malan looked at ease, until Moeen Ali finally dismissed Malan 

The duo set the platform for South Africa before Malan finally holed out to Liam Livingstone off the bowling of Moeen Ali for 57.

Having made a breakthrough, England would have hoped to put the pressure on new batter Aiden Markram quickly, but he simply picked up where Malan left off.

Van der Dussen and Markram were rarely troubled as they upped the run rate and put South Africa in position to rack up a huge total.

Van der Dussen brought up his ton in the 39th over with a clip past fine leg, and Markram moved past 50 the following over.

Aiden Markram played a number of powerful cut shots during his innings of 77

Liam Livingstone managed to dismiss van der Dussen and Markram in the same over

Brydon Carse also impressed late on with his bowling in the final overs of the innings

Heading into the final 10 overs just two wickets down, South Africa looked on course for a score in excess of 350, but England hit back late on, as Livingstone removed Markram and van der Dussen in the same over for 77 and 134 respectively.

Brydon Carse and Curran turned to bowling into the pitch and used their slower balls effectively in the closing stages, with Carse managing to pick up the late wicket of Heinrich Klaasen.

He then finished off the innings with two dot balls, which could prove crucial later in the day as England look to chase down a daunting target.