Cumbria's Ben Stokes pulled off an incredible catch as part of a superb all-round performance as England opened their Cricket World Cup with a crushing 104-run victory against South Africa at The Oval.

Stokes, who was brought up in Cockermouth, had earlier struck 89 off 79 balls to top-score in England's 311-8 that, while competitive, looked chase-able for the Proteas.

However, a terrific display of pace bowling from Jofra Archer inspired the hosts to bowl them out for 207 with more than ten overs of their reply left unbowled, with Stokes himself confirming the win with the last two wickets.

England were put in to bat by South Africa and suffered an early blow when Jonny Bairstow was caught behind off spinner Imran Tahir off just the second delivery.

However, solid efforts down the order from Jason Roy (54), Joe Root (51) and captain Eoin Morgan (57), along with Stokes' heroics helped them recover, even if they did let things slide somewhat from 217-3.

Archer's hostile bowling forced Hashim Amla to temporarily retire hurt before he went on to claim figures of 3-27 in just his fourth one-day international.

Stokes then left the crowd aghast by somehow holding on to a one-handed chance whilst falling backwards at deep midwicket to dismiss Andile Phehlukwayo before finally taking the wickets of Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi to claim 2-12 from 2.5 overs.