MUMBAI: England posted the highest successful run chase ever at a World Twenty20 tournament with Joe Root smashing 83 as they overhauled an improbable South Africa total by two wickets in a run-fest on Friday.

Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla struck half-centuries at the top while JP Duminy provided the late assault with an unbeaten fifty as South Africa posted a massive 229-4 after put in to bat in their Group One match at the Wankhede Stadium.

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• Brutal South Africa set England 230 to win

If South Africa, considered one of the favourites for the tournament, would have hoped they have had amassed enough runs, they were in for a rude shock as England went after their bowlers with nothing but attack on their minds.

England looked comfortable for most part of their chase before losing three wickets in seven balls towards the end but eventually reached their target with two balls to spare.

Jason Roy (43) and Alex Hales gave England a rollicking start, posting 48 in just 15 deliveries before both were out to paceman Kyle Abbott.

Amla, who was dropped on nine by Reece Topley off Ali, hit an identical number of boundaries before falling to the off-spinner.

Duminy (54 not out) and David Miller (28 not out) provided the finishing touches for South Africa with an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 60.

England paceman Chris Jordan conceded four fours and a six in the fifth over and finished with figures of 0-49 in three overs. Topley gave away 33 in his two overs.