Buttler fires England to 399-9 against South Africa in first ODI

Jos Buttler smashed his fourth ODI century as England posted a daunting 400-run target for South Africa in the opening game of the five-match series at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.

Opting to bat first, England got off to a thunderous start as Jason Roy and Alex Hales (57) notched up a brisk 68-run partnership for the opening wicket with Roy (48) in particular punishing the opponents' bowling.

Batting mainstay Joe Root added 52 runs before Buttler (105) smacked a wayward South African bowling attack to secure his century off just 73 balls, Sport24 reported.

Subsequently, Ben Stokes continued his rich vein of form, bludgeoning a swift 57 off 38 balls, which includes four boundaries and three sixes.

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Meanwhile, skipper Eoin Morgan and Moeen Ali contributed 23 and 19 runs respectively before the tourists made 399 for nine in their stipulated 50 overs.

For South Africa, Chris Morris was the pick of the bowlers with three scalps.