England's Denly defies illness to score century against South Africa A

Joe Denly defied illness to score first century of England's tour of South Africa when he made 103 on first day of a n-first-class three-day match against South Africa A at Willowmoore Park on Friday. England finished day on 337 for five after winning toss. Rory Burns (56) and Ollie Pope (70 t out) also hit half-centuries, while Ben Stokes made 47 in his first appearance on tour.

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Denly said he was one of victims of an illness which has spread through touring team but said his case was "t as bad as some of boys".  Front-line bowlers Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer and Jack Leach stayed at team hotel and have yet to bowl in a match situation in build-up to first Test against South Africa starting in Centurion on Thursday.

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"I've had a mild case, with flu-like symptoms," said Denly.  "I'm alright w but it's quite sapping heat out re so I was a bit tired towards end." 

Denly hit 15 boundaries in a 192-ball innings before being run out in last over before second new ball was due.  "It was quite a slow wicket so it took some getting used to but once you were in you could score some runs," he said.

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illness to key bowlers caused England to request that game be downgraded from what had been planned as a first-class fixture. It also caused England to send for Somerset duo Craig Overton and Dom Bess to be flown out as cover. y are due to arrive on Saturday. Burns and Dom Sibley (22) got England off to a solid start with a 60-run opening stand before Sibley was bowled by Andile Phehlukwayo, one of three members of South Africa's Test squad playing in fixture. Phehlukwayo also dismissed England captain Joe Root, who made 12 before being caught at slip. Pope provided most attacking batting of day, scoring his unbeaten 70 off 87 balls, with 11 fours and a six. South Africa A were hit by withdrawal of Test batsman Temba Bavuma because of a hip injury which will keep him out of first Test, while unis de Bruyn missed an opportunity to make a case for a recall to Test side when he had to withdraw because of an ear infection. 

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