South Africa Beat England 97-54 at the 1st T20. Image: Adrian Dennis/AFP.
(The Post News)-South Africa defeated England by 14 runs in a chaotic, rain-shortened opening T20 in Cardiff. Rain delayed the start, reducing the match to nine overs per side.
South Africa made a rapid start, reaching 97-5 in just 7.5 overs before another rain interruption cut short their innings. England’s revised target was 69 from five overs, leaving them no choice but to attack from ball one. They ended on 54-5, falling 14 runs short despite a late push.
Sam Curran, recalled to the side, briefly raised hopes with a six, but they held their nerve. Corbin Bosch and Marco Jansen each took two wickets to seal a comfortable win for the visitors.
SA vs. England T20: Buttler Gives England a Fighting Chance
Jos Buttler gave England a fighting chance, smashing 25 off 11 balls with three sixes. However, early wickets proved costly. Phil Salt fell on the first ball of the chase, caught at fine leg. Jacob Bethell chipped one to cover for seven, and captain Harry Brook endured a disastrous four-ball duck, struggling with timing and footwork.
Earlier, England made a late change by replacing Jofra Archer with Luke Wood, who struck in the first over by removing Ryan Rickelton. Aiden Markram led South Africa’s charge with 28 off 14, targeting the short straight boundaries in Cardiff.
Dewald Brevis, fresh off becoming the most expensive SA20 player in Tuesday’s auction, entertained with 23 off 10 before Curran dismissed him with his first delivery. Donovan Ferreira remained unbeaten on 25 from 11, closing the innings with a massive six before rain ended their innings prematurely.
They were unable to risk Archer on the wet outfield despite naming him in the squad the day before and leaned on Wood, who also dismissed Lhuan-dre Pretorius. Markram and Brevis punished spinners Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson, launching flat sixes down the ground. Salt dropped Markram on 24, but Rashid eventually had him caught by Wood.
Brevis, angry at misreading one of Curran’s ultra-slow balls (just over 50 mph), skewed a catch to backward point. Tristan Stubbs ramped a six out of the ground but failed trying the same shot again, falling to Jamie Overton for 13.
Ferreira finished with trademark power, carrying the momentum from his successful Hundred campaign with Oval Invincibles. His late six proved crucial as the innings was cut short.
England’s reply left them chasing a record run rate of over 13 per over in a five-over game, a feat never achieved in men’s T20s. Salt’s night went from bad to worse as Kagiso Rabada dismissed him first ball. Bethell hit a six but fell on the next delivery. Brook attempted two ramp shots, fell over both times, and edged behind off Bosch.
Buttler briefly gave England hope with inventive ramps and scoops, exploiting the small boundaries. Curran’s 10 was England’s next best score, but Jansen removed him at the end of the penultimate over, and Tom Banton fell for five the very next ball.
The three-match series moves to Old Trafford on Friday, though more rain is in the forecast.
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