ENGLAND captain Eoin Morgan praised Hampshire’s spin twins after they helped set up last night’s demolition of South Africa at The Ageas Bowl.

Liam Dawson and Mason Crane bowled unchanged after the powerplay as South Africa were restricted to just 142-3 in the opening match of the Natwest Series at a sun-kissed Ageas Bowl.

Slow left-armer Dawson was first up and conceded only 17 runs from his four overs.

He was twice unlucky not to dismiss AB de Villiers in his second over as the ball dropped just short of cover and, diving low to his left, himself.

Dawson, who took 3-27 on his England debut in a T20 win against Sri Lanka last year, was just as impressive last night, while Mason Crane lived up to the hype.

Hampshire’s youngest international also bowled unchanged during the middle period of the Proteas innings, conceding only 24 runs off his four overs.

Not bad considering he was up against De Villiers throughout and was bowling his full allocation in a T20 match for only the third time.

He bowled with control, guile and confidence.

After delivering a googly with only his second ball, he flummoxed De Villiers into a leading edge that was unfortunate not to be rewarded with the scalp of the Proteas captain.

Morgan said: “I thought we were excellent, we took early wickets and put South Africa on the back foot.

“They came back hard and we contained them. I was very impressed with the way the spinners went about their business.

“The first couple of overs they bowled they contained AB and Farhaan Behardien really well and never let them get away from us.

“That’s great credit to two inexperienced players on their home ground to tie down one of the best players of his generation.”

Crane and Dawson were given their chance in the absence of Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali, who were both rested.

“We try and monitor as much as we can but one of the major things about new guys is keeping them in the moment,” explained Morgan.

“The skill level will follow.

“We know they have the ability to perform, it’s about whether they can do it on the international stage.

“Today they were both very impressive. It's not just about the 11 playing, it’s about the 15-16 in the squad and everyone buying into the direction we’re going in.”