'Absolute scenes': World Cup opens with never-before-seen moment
The 2019 Cricket World Cup opener between England and South Africa at The Oval started off with an incredible tactic which left fans stunned.
South Africa won the toss and elected to field against the host nation but in a World Cup first, leg spinner Imram Tahir bowled the first over of the tournament.
And in a brilliant start for South Africa, Tahir dismissed England opener Jonny Bairstow with the second ball of the World Cup.
He conceded a single to Jason Roy with the first ball and then had Bairstow caught behind off a faint edge the very next ball as World Cup favourite England slipped to 1-1.
The commentators called it “tactical brilliance” from Faf Du Plessis to start with a spinner against Bairstow.
Tahir also becomes the first spinner to bowl the opening over of a World Cup.
#CWC2019:
-> Imran Tahir became the first spinner to bowl the first over of a World Cup.
-> Only the 2nd time a wicket fell in the first over of a World Cup.
John Wright got out on the first legitimate ball of the CWC 1992. #ENGvSA— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) May 30, 2019
Wow ! A 40 year old Tahir opens the bowling and gets Jonny Bairstow second ball of the match.
Out of the box- is this going to be the theme of this World Cup #EngvSA— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 30, 2019
ABSOLUTE SCENES! TAHIR STRIKES IN THE FIRST OVER!
In only the 3rd time that @ImranTahirSA has opened the bowling for the Proteas & he jags one in the 1st over!
Follow all the action from #ENGvSA
With us here: https://t.co/ODp2vne8qv#CWC19 pic.twitter.com/Ig9StrZjUT— Cricket Live (@SMCricketLive) May 30, 2019