Prior handed early reprieve

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Wicketkeeper-batsman Prior was reprieved on 23 when Vernon Philander inexplicably dropped a checked drive at mid-off in Andre Nel's opening over from the Kirkstall Lane End.

That came with England 46 for none, having won the toss ahead of the day-night contest.

Nel did well to control his ire after Prior turned towards the pavilion following his mishit. Fortune was certainly with England in the opening 15 overs as Ian Bell dropped into the off-side and would have sacrificed his partner, then on 19, had AB de Villiers' under-arm throw struck its target.

While Prior, who edged his first runs between first and second slip off Dale Steyn, played the role of aggressor, Bell failed to hit a boundary from his initial 52 deliveries.

Prior highlighted the form which prompted his recall for this series with a couple of glorious cover-driven boundaries and another sublime flick off the pads to the rope.

England's hopes of claiming victory in the opening match were boosted by an injury to South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel.

Morkel was ruled out with a side strain but the tourists are hopeful he will be fit for Tuesday's second match at Trent Bridge.

He joins older brother Albie Morkel, who has a shoulder problem, on the sidelines and was replaced in South Africa's line-up by Nel while all-rounder Philander came into the side to bat at number seven.

While South Africa were without their leading spearhead, England welcomed back Steve Harmison for his first one-day international appearance in two years following Thursday's shock reversal of his decision to retire.