This was an England innings to fill them with misgivings ahead of World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka. Ravi Bopara's batting, at least, suggests that he remains scarred by his recent emotional upheavals and the ability of their younger batsmen to succeed on turning pitches will be further questioned after the way they were dismantled by a confident South Africa unit. If selecting Bopara in his current state is adamant, for England to position him at No. 3 looks increasingly delusional. He took time off last month as he was beset by relationship problems and since his return his batting has been clouded by self-doubt. He does not look to be in a good place.
England are desperate for him to succeed as his bits-and-pieces bowling balances their side, but his troubled batting run continued as he managed only 6 from 11 balls.
South Africa brought Dale Steyn into the attack, added a slip and Bopara, with a lack of foot movement, edged straight to that man. It was adventurous captaincy by AB de Villiers to bring in a slip outside the Powerplay overs, although as Bopara has been repeatedly edging it in this direction for weeks it was perhaps less daring than it appeared.
South Africa's domination did not just stretch to Bopara. Presented by a slow Chester-le-Street turner, not too far removed from the surfaces they may encounter in Sri Lanka, Robin Peterson and Johan Botha did not disappoint. They dared to bowl slowly, turned the ball and were backed up by solid fielding.
England's surfeit of one-day internationals against three different opponents this summer had attracted criticism for overkill, but the arrival of a three-match T20 series had obvious relevance. South Africa are ranked No 1; England are defending champions with a good recent record. Even the losers in this NatWest Series will feel happier than Australia, who now find themselves ranked beneath Ireland.
Craig Kieswetter and Alex Hales are beginning to have the feel of a settled opening partnership for an England side which once famously changed combinations on a whim, but they are still some way from an understanding between the wickets if Hales' run-out in the fourth over was any guide.
His enthusiasm for a leg-side single as Kieswetter got a thick inside edge was not shared by his partner and Jacques Kallis lumbered in to pick up and hit direct. Hales left the field distraught in his last T20 international when he was dismissed for 99. On this occasion he was cursing.
There had been some spin in the preceding women's match - England beating West Indies by eight wickets - but Johan Botha still turned his introductory delivery enough to surprise Kieswetter, who fell lbw.
Kieswetter's six over wide long-on against Lonwabo Tsotsobe had been one of the few invigorating moments for England as they reached midway at 64 for 3 and Botha defused their most explosive batsman, Eoin Morgan, as he tried to sweep and dragged on one that kept a little low.
What followed smacked of naivety. England have great faith in Jos Buttler's potential but it is yet to be rewarded. He has had few opportunities and when they do come along, such as on this occasion when half the overs were still unused, he has flattered to deceive. Like Hales, he is unproven against spin and Peterson, bowling markedly slowly, drew him down the pitch and bowled him with ease. Ten England T20Is have now brought 19 runs and that is no sort of preparation for Sri Lanka.
Jonny Bairstow, needing to up the pace, plonked Albie Morkel into Botha's hands at wide long-on and Samit Patel fell in similar fashion against Peterson as Kallis thundered in for a good, low catch at long-off. Only some spirited late forays by Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann, as England took 34 from the last five overs, gave them much to bowl at. As for Steyn, his four overs cost 13 - it was not just about the spinners.
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