MAN-of-the-match Moeen Ali smashed an unbeaten 77 off just 51 balls and picked up two wickets - including the prized one of AB de Villiers - as England defeated South Africa by 72 runs in the opening One Day International at Headingley.

The Worcestershire all-rounder came to the wicket at 198-5 in the 35th over and helped England to 339-6 by the end of their innings.

The 29-year-old belted five sixes and five fours in his second ODI half-century since the 2015 World Cup.

Moeen and England captain Eoin Morgan, who made a superb 107 off 93 balls, put on 117 in 13 overs for the sixth wicket.

The half-century for Moeen came up in spectacular fashion with three sixes in an over from spinner Imran Tahir.

Moeen deposited the first ball straight down the ground for six, repeated the shot off the fourth delivery and then drilled the next over deep mid wicket.

He had previously hoisted Wayne Parnell over square leg for a maximum and brought the innings to a conclusion with a six over deep backward square against Chris Morris.

Alex Hales (61) was England's other main contributor after they had been put into bat in the day-night encounter.

Moeen then chipped in with two wickets as the Proteas were bowled out for 267 in 45 overs.

Chris Morris (5) went for a reverse sweep and top-edged a simple catch to keeper Jos Buttler.

Then De Villiers (45) went for a big hit and holed out to deep mid-wicket as Moeen finished with 2-50 from nine overs.