Alan Mullally captured the first two wickets as England bounced back from losing their opening match on Monday to beat South Africa's weakest provincial team by 19 runs yesterday.

Captain Nasser Hussain stroked the top score of 64 as the tourists scored 234-9 against Easterns who were then restricted 215-7 in the 50 overs game, Hampshire newcomer Mullally dumping the hosts at 21-2 by claiming the wickets of both openers.

The victory was just the lift England needed after becoming the first international team to lose to the Nicky Oppenheimer invitation XI 24 hours earlier.

After losing the toss, Hussain led from the front with a positive 64 off 85 balls, including 11 fours, and big-hitting Andrew Flintoff lived up to his reputation with 54 off 56 balls, containing five fours and two sixes.

Hussain and Flintoff shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 82 but England failed to capitalise in the later overs as seamer Andre Nel picked up a one-day personal best of 4-33, the last five wickets falling for just 31 runs.

Mullally took his first wicket by bowling Jordaan for a duck and then having Ahmed caught by Flintoff for eight yet Easterns always had a chance with Phil Simmons in their ranks.

But after a few vigorous blows the former West Indies all-rounder was caught at mid-wicket for 29 as the local side faded to 68-4.

After that the home side were always up against it despite a lively 97-run sixth-wicket stand between Dennis Smith (75) and Hussain Manack (26).

Mullally finished with 2-45 from ten overs while fast bowler Alex Tudor marked his return from knee surgery by taking 2-17.

England next play a four-day match against a combined Western Province and Boland XI in Cape Town starting on Friday.

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