| 0.0 : TOSS - Up goes the flip of the coin and it lands in favor of England. Jos Buttler opts to BOWL first. |
| England (Unchanged XI) - Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (C/WK), Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Reece Topley. |
| South Africa (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock (WK), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (C), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Ottneil Baartman (In for Tabraiz Shamsi). |
| Jos Buttler, the captain of England wins the toss and elects to bowl first. He says it is a fresh wicket and looks like a good wicket and says they will fancy another chase and go with the same formula. Adds the ball will swing with the wind and also adds they are going with the same side. Further adds that they performed really well against West Indies in all facets of the game and now they are up against another tough opposition and he expects a good game. On Jofra Archer, he says he is in |
| South African skipper, Aiden Markram says that they would have bowled first as well given it is an early start and would have fancied chasing but will now look to put a good total on the board. Adds that going forward, you need to rest and recover quickly and get back into the mix. Mentions that the top order needed an outing and they got that in the last game as the middle order has been digging them out of trouble on most occasions. |
| We are just a few moments away from this marquee clash to begin! But before that, the two sets of players are getting lined up for their respective national anthems followed by the match officials. It will be South Africa's first, followed by the national anthem of England. |
| Done with the pre-match formalities and it's time for the action to commence at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia. The sun shines to its full glory and out stride the two dynamic South African openers, Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks with the latter taking the guard. The fiery left-arm pacer, Reece Topley will begin the proceedings with the ball and a slip in place for England. The countdown finishes, and, here we go... |
| 0.2 : Reece Topley to Reeza Hendricks, A bit fuller and even straighter on the pads, Reeza Hendricks fails to flick it away and the ball rolls of his legs towards short fine leg. |
| 0.1 : Reece Topley to Reeza Hendricks, Starts off with a dot ball! Begins from over the stumps and serves a gentle-paced delivery on a fuller length and at the pads. Reeza Hendricks stands tall and tucks it away to mid-wicket. |
| 0.3 : Reece Topley to Reeza Hendricks, No run. |
| 0.4 : Reece Topley to Reeza Hendricks, No way through! Pitched up wide of the off stump, Reeza Hendricks is drawn forward and he drives it firmly but can't get it past the fielder at covers. |
| 0.5 : Reece Topley to Reeza Hendricks, On the fuller length again and wide of the off stump, Reeza Hendricks leans right on strokes it into the gap at covers for a couple of runs. South Africa are finally underway! |
| 0.6 : Reece Topley to Reeza Hendricks, Tidy start from Reece Topley, just two runs off the first over! |
| 0.0 : Who bowls the second over? |
| 1.1 : Moeen Ali to Quinton de Kock, Bustles in from around the stumps and bowls it flatter around the off stump line, Quinton de Kock leans on and watchfully plays it on the off side. |
| 1.2 : Moeen Ali to Quinton de Kock, A tad shorter and wider of the off stump, Quinton de Kock waits back and pats the ball away past point for a single to get off the mark. |
| 1.3 : Moeen Ali to Reeza Hendricks, Switches to over the stumps to the right-hander and flights it up on the stumps, Reeza Hendricks stays on the front foot and works it away neatly in front of mid-wicket for one more. |
| 1.4 : Moeen Ali to Quinton de Kock, No run. |
| 1.5 : Moeen Ali to Quinton de Kock, FOUR! Tossed up straighter on the stumps, Quinton de Kock comes down the pitch, gets the ball on the full and drills it to the right of mid on for the first boundary of the game. |
| 1.6 : Moeen Ali to Quinton de Kock, SIX! Excellent use of the feet again from Quinton de Kock and South Africa have lift off! Tossed up on the stumps, de Kock shimmies down the pitch and hits through the line of the ball, smoking it over long off for a biggie. |
| 2.1 : Reece Topley to Reeza Hendricks, On a good length around middle stump, Reeza Hendricks clips it to mid-wicket and sets off for the quick single. A fumble there from Sam Curran allows the batters to get across with ease. |
| 2.2 : Reece Topley to Quinton de Kock, Back of a length and outside off, slower too, Quinton de Kock waits well and gets on his toes before tapping the ball away wide of deep third. Phil Salt runs around from deep point and slides across to keep it down to a brace. |
| 2.3 : Reece Topley to Quinton de Kock, That in-between length, looking to angle it back in from the off stump, Quinton de Kock looks to cover drive but gets it off the inner half of the bat towards mid-wicket and picks up a single. |
| 2.4 : Reece Topley to Reeza Hendricks, No run. |
| 2.5 : Reece Topley to Reeza Hendricks, Dishes out a really full ball on the leg peg now, Reeza Hendricks flicks it off the legs and through square leg for just another single. |
| 2.6 : Reece Topley to Quinton de Kock, Banged into the deck a bit and bowled over the middle stump, Quinton de Kock presses back and plays it with soft hands just behind square on the leg side for an easy single. |
| Jofra Archer is introduced into the attack now. He replaces Moeen Ali. |
| 3.1 : Jofra Archer to Quinton de Kock, No run. |
| 3.2 : Jofra Archer to Quinton de Kock, SIX! Up and away! That signature pick-up shot from Quinton de Kock and his impressive showing against Jofra Archer continues. Dug in a bit short at 141 clicks but the line is around the hips, de Kock gets inside the line and whips it over the leaping man at deep fine leg for a biggie. |
| 3.3 : Jofra Archer to Quinton de Kock, SIX! Make that two in two for Quinton de Kock! |
| 3.4 : Jofra Archer to Quinton de Kock, FOUR! Wow, Quinton de Kock is just toying with Jofra Archer and the field now. Banged in well short and angling it across the off stump, de Kock waits well and just ramps the ball up and over backward point for another boundary. |
| 3.5 : Jofra Archer to Quinton de Kock, Slower one, back of a length and around off, stabbed into the off side for a single. |
| 3.6 : Jofra Archer to Reeza Hendricks, FOUR! Reeza Hendricks doesn't want to be left out of the action. |
| 4.1 : Reece Topley to Quinton de Kock, FOUR! That is finesse from Quinton de Kock and he is showing the full range of shots here. Short of a length and a bit wider of the off stump, de Kock lets the ball come on and just angles it well wide of deep third for another boundary. |
| 4.2 : Reece Topley to Quinton de Kock, On a hard length and closer to the off stump, Quinton de Kock hangs back and dabs it away through backward point to collect a single right after the boundary. |
| 4.3 : Reece Topley to Reeza Hendricks, Wide! |
| Reece Topley to Reeza Hendricks, Pitched up around the off stump line, Reeza Hendricks firms it off the front foot to mid off and gets across for a quick single. |
| 4.4 : Reece Topley to Quinton de Kock, This is positive batting from South Africa and they aren't letting dot balls get built up. Floated full and on off stump, Quinton de Kock leans on and just pushes it wide of mid on for another quick single. |
| 4.5 : Reece Topley to Reeza Hendricks, Bowled slightly back of a length and slanted across the off stump, Reeza Hendricks taps it away past the point fielder for another single and the 50 is up for South Africa. |
| 4.6 : Reece Topley to Quinton de Kock, Good length angled into the pads, Quinton de Kock tucks it around the corner and picks up another single. |
| 0.0 : Sam Curran is into the attack now. |
| 5.1 : Sam Curran to Quinton de Kock, Excellent effort there in the deep by Liam Livingstone. Saves one for his team! |
| 5.2 : Sam Curran to Reeza Hendricks, No run. |
| 5.3 : Sam Curran to Reeza Hendricks, Leg bye. |
| 5.4 : Sam Curran to Quinton de Kock, SIX! SHOT! |
| 5.5 : Sam Curran to Quinton de Kock, Bowled full and angled onto the off stump, Quinton de Kock gets on the front foot and drives it sweetly towards wide of mid off for a quick single. |
| 5.6 : Sam Curran to Reeza Hendricks, Leg bye. |
| 6.1 : Adil Rashid to Reeza Hendricks, 1 run. |
| 6.2 : Adil Rashid to Quinton de Kock, Flighted one outside off, Quinton de Kock presses ahead and blocks it. |
| 6.3 : Adil Rashid to Quinton de Kock, Back-to-back half-centuries for Quinton de Kock. Tossed up, right on the fuller length, around the leg stump line, Quinton de Kock strides ahead and flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for one. |
| 6.4 : Adil Rashid to Reeza Hendricks, Wrong'un on a length, on leg, Reeza Hendricks works it towards square leg for another single. |
| 6.5 : Adil Rashid to Quinton de Kock, Loops it up on a length, and lands it on off, Quinton de Kock goes back and across and punches it through widish mid on for a couple of runs. |
| 6.6 : Adil Rashid to Quinton de Kock, Slides it across off on a shortish length, Quinton de Kock is on the back foot and cuts it through cover-point for a single to end the over. |
| 7.1 : Moeen Ali to Quinton de Kock, Around the stumps, on a fuller length, at the stumps, Quinton de Kock goes back and blocks it to the off side. |
| 7.2 : Moeen Ali to Quinton de Kock, Full, and on off, Quinton de Kock drags it along the carpet to long on for a single. |
| 7.3 : Moeen Ali to Reeza Hendricks, Drags his length a shade, on off, Reeza Hendricks plants his front foot ahead and flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for one. |
| 7.4 : Moeen Ali to Quinton de Kock, Gives the ball more air and lands it on the middle and on a length, Quinton de Kock moves leg side of the ball and cuts it past covers for a brace. |
| 7.5 : Moeen Ali to Quinton de Kock, Drops it full and on off with a good flight, Quinton de Kock lofts it over mid off, and hits it inside out towards widish long off for a brace. |
| 7.6 : Moeen Ali to Quinton de Kock, Drifts it on the leg stump, short in length, Quinton de Kock works this one to the leg side. Moeen Ali moves to his left and stops it. Dot to end the 8th over. |
| 8.1 : Adil Rashid to Reeza Hendricks, Slides it onto middle and leg, and keeps the length full, Reeza Hendricks clips it with a good stride forward and works it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 0.0 : Is that a clean catch? The fielder in the deep seems to have taken a fairly regulation catch but quite low in front of him. Quinton de Kock is asking whether it is clean or not and eventually, the umpires go upstairs. The replays show that Mark Wood did take the catch but his fingers weren't completely underneath it. It is a tight call though and the third umpire zooms in to get a better view. The conclusion is that the fingers are pointing downwards and the ball seems to be in contact with th |
| 8.2 : Adil Rashid to Quinton de Kock, Quinton de Kock chats with the umpire for a clean catch. Adil Rashid lands this one fuller and on the leg stump line with a decent flight. QDK premeditates and sits on his knee, sweeps it uppishly but doesn't time it well and the ball goes flat, and straight towards Mark Wood stationed at deep fine. He bends low and takes it just a few centimeters above the grass. Well, not the question is whether he has kept his fingers underneath. The on-field umpire review |
| 8.3 : Adil Rashid to Quinton de Kock, Short and around leg, Quinton de Kock works it off the back foot towards square leg for one. |
| 8.4 : Adil Rashid to Reeza Hendricks, No run. |
| 8.5 : Adil Rashid to Reeza Hendricks, 2 runs. |
| 8.6 : Adil Rashid to Reeza Hendricks, Short and on the middle stump line, Reeza Hendricks rocks back and pulls this one to deep mid-wicket for one. |
| 9.1 : Moeen Ali to Reeza Hendricks, Sees the batter advancing down the track, Moeen bowls it short and flat on the stumps, Reeza Hendricks steps out and clips it along the ground towards deep mid-wicket and rotates the strike. |
| 9.2 : Moeen Ali to Quinton de Kock, FOUR! Shot of authority that from QDK! |
| 9.3 : Moeen Ali to Quinton de Kock, Drags his length, on off, Quinton de Kock looks to push it square of the wicket but gets it off the inside half of the willow towards right of the bowler. |
| 9.4 : Moeen Ali to Quinton de Kock, Short and turning away, Quinton de Kock punches it off the back foot towards extra covers for one. |
| 9.5 : Moeen Ali to Reeza Hendricks, OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Moeen Ali strikes and England finally get a breakthrough. A tough stay for Reeza Hendricks comes to an end. |
| 9.6 : Moeen Ali to Heinrich Klaasen, Short and wide of off, Heinrich Klaasen goes in the crease and cuts it past covers for a single to end the over. Halfway done and South Africa are 87/1. |
| 0.0 : Heinrich Klaasen walks in at number 4. |
| Drinks break! Right then, it was a rollicking start for Quinton de Kock and South Africa in the Powerplay and the Proteas were going at over 10 runs per over but since the fielding restrictions have lifted, the scoring rate has also dried up. Reeza Hendricks is having a miserable time and has just got out. England have done well to drag themselves back into the contest but still need more wickets if they are to keep South Africa down to a sub-par total. Let's see how the next 10 overs pan o |
| 10.1 : Adil Rashid to Heinrich Klaasen, The regulation leg break, bowled on a dragged length and on off and middle, Heinrich Klaasen rocks back and punches it past the diving fielder at covers for a single. |
| 10.2 : Adil Rashid to Quinton de Kock, Nicely flighted up, a bit fuller and turning into the pads, Quinton de Kock leans on to work it away but misses and gets hit on the pads. |
| 10.3 : Adil Rashid to Quinton de Kock, Bye. |
| 10.4 : Adil Rashid to Heinrich Klaasen, No run. |
| 10.5 : Adil Rashid to Heinrich Klaasen, Another wrong'un, on a shorter length and turning back in a fair bit from the off stump, Heinrich Klaasen backs away and pushes the ball out square towards cover. |
| 10.6 : Adil Rashid to Heinrich Klaasen, Top over from Adil Rashid yet again, just a single and a bye off it. Bowled flatter and attacking the stumps, Heinrich Klaasen plays it off the back foot but can't get it through the cover region. |
| Jofra Archer (1-0-21-0) is back. |
| 11.1 : Jofra Archer to Quinton de Kock, WIDE! Oh, deary me! That came out completely wrong from the hand. |
| Jofra Archer to Quinton de Kock, Slower and into the pitch this time around off stump, Quinton de Kock backs away and angles the ball behind the point region for just a single. |
| 11.2 : Jofra Archer to Heinrich Klaasen, Back of a length and bowled from over the stumps, angling it well into the batter, Heinrich Klaasen hops and keeps it down onto the deck. |
| 11.3 : Jofra Archer to Heinrich Klaasen, No run. |
| 11.4 : Jofra Archer to Heinrich Klaasen, A slower delivery, turns out to be a dipping full toss around the waist, Heinrich Klaasen waits for it and just flicks it behind square leg for a single. |
| 11.5 : Jofra Archer to Quinton de Kock, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! A stunning take from Jos Buttler behind the stumps and the decision to bring Jofra Archer back into the attack has proved to be a masterstroke. |
| 11.6 : Jofra Archer to David Miller, A steep bumper to end an excellent over from Jofra Archer and England are now in the ascendancy. Stays around the wicket and angles in a quick bumper that goes over the right shoulder of David Miller and Miller just ducks under it. |
| 0.0 : David Miller is in at number 4. A slip for Miller first up. |
| 12.1 : Sam Curran to Heinrich Klaasen, FOUR! Smacked away by Heinrich Klaasen and that will make him feel a lot better. Sam Curran comes back in and starts from around the stumps but serves it right in the slot around off. Klaasen holds his shape and pummels it to the right of Harry Brook at long off for a boundary. |
| 12.2 : Sam Curran to Heinrich Klaasen, Back of a length and wide of the off stump, Heinrich Klaasen waits back and cuts it hard to the left of covers but Moeen Ali makes a good diving stop. |
| 12.3 : Sam Curran to Heinrich Klaasen, NOT OUT! Closer than it initially appeared and England do keep their review but Heinrich Klaasen does survive. |
| 12.2 : Is that out? A huge confident appeal from Sam Curran for LBW. The Umpire says no but Curran convinces his skipper to challenge the on-field decision. Nothing on UltraEdge and the Ball Tracking shows that the ball is just clipping on the bails on the middle stumps on Umpire's Call. Not Out. |
| 12.5 : Sam Curran to David Miller, Keeps it nice and full around the off stump, David Miller brings out the cover drive but hits it straight to Moeen Ali at wide mid off. No single there! |
| 12.4 : Sam Curran to David Miller, Pitched up around the off stump line, David Miller looks to get on the front foot and drives but gets an outside edge that rolls away to short third man. |
| 12.6 : Sam Curran to David Miller, On a good length and angled into the pads, David Miller flicks it away to deep square leg and gets off the mark with a single. |
| Change. |
| 13.1 : Mark Wood to David Miller, Starts off on a hard length and angles it well across the off stump at 144.6 clicks, David Miller reaches out and slaps the ball away to deep sweeper cover for a run. |
| 13.2 : Mark Wood to Heinrich Klaasen, Good again from Jos Buttler behind the stumps. Mark Wood clocks it at 144 clicks and angles this one into the pads, Heinrich Klaasen misses the flick and the ball goes quickly off the pads down to the left of the keeper but Buttler dives across and makes the save. |
| 13.3 : Mark Wood to Heinrich Klaasen, Wide! |
| Mark Wood to Heinrich Klaasen, Pitches the ball up now and looks to slide one through the gate, Heinrich Klaasen gets on the front foot and flicks it away in front of mid-wicket for a run. |
| 13.4 : Mark Wood to David Miller, Back of a length and angling across the left-hander at 146.4 clicks, David Miller frees his arms and hits it away towards deep cover for just another single. |
| 13.5 : Mark Wood to Heinrich Klaasen, OUT! RUN OUT! Oh, wow! What a sensational bit of fielding from Jos Buttler and he is ecstatic and rightly so too. |
| Mark Wood to David Miller, No run. |
| The South African skipper, Aiden Markram is in at number 5. |
| 13.6 : Mark Wood to David Miller, FOUR! Streaky but David Miller will take it. Pitched up fuller and quicker around off stump, Miller gets squared up a bit and gets a thick outside edge that beats short third and rolls away into the fence. |
| 14.1 : Adil Rashid to Aiden Markram, Nicely tossed up on a length and around off, Aiden Markram pushes it out to covers for one. |
| 14.2 : Adil Rashid to David Miller, FOUR! That is a shot of confidence! |
| 14.3 : Adil Rashid to David Miller, On the shorter side and over middle and leg, David Miller goes on the back foot and works it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 14.4 : Adil Rashid to Aiden Markram, OUT! DRAGGED ON! Aiden Markram cannot believe it and is devastated but he has to walk back cheaply here. |
| 0.0 : Tristan Stubbs is in at number 6. |
| 14.5 : Adil Rashid to Tristan Stubbs, Short of a length on off and turning away, Tristan Stubbs presses back and angles it past backward point for a single. |
| 14.6 : Adil Rashid to David Miller, Nicely tossed up, on a length and turning it in from around off, David Miller gets on the front foot and just clips it away towards mid-wicket for one as the bowler himself chases the ball down. |
| 15.1 : Mark Wood to David Miller, FOUR! Cracking shot! Steams in from over the wicket, and cannons it on a length, at middle, David Miller stands tall and flat-bats it through mid-wicket and mid on for a boundary. |
| 15.2 : Mark Wood to David Miller, Fires it fuller and outside off, David Miller drives it firmly but straight towards covers. |
| 15.3 : Mark Wood to David Miller, No run. |
| 15.4 : Mark Wood to David Miller, FOUR! Much needed for the Proteas! Bangs it short and on the leg stump line, David Miller gets on the up on his toes and pulls it nicely along the ground through deep backward square leg for the second boundary of the over. |
| 15.5 : Mark Wood to David Miller, Fuller in length, on off, David Miller drives it towards deep point for a single. |
| 15.6 : Mark Wood to Tristan Stubbs, FOUR! Guided away! |
| 0.0 : Reece Topley (3-0-18-0) is back on to finish his spell. |
| 16.1 : Reece Topley to David Miller, Slower one, full in length, and around off David Miller whips it across the line towards deep square leg for a single. |
| 16.2 : Reece Topley to Tristan Stubbs, WIDE! Slants it way across off, and beyond the guideline. Tristan Stubbs leaves it and the umpire stretches his arms for a Wide. |
| Reece Topley to Tristan Stubbs, Bowls it fuller in length, outside off, Tristan Stubbs bends low, gets ahead, and shovels it straight towards cover. |
| 16.3 : Reece Topley to Tristan Stubbs, On the back of a length, closer to the off-stump, Tristan Stubbs cuts it on the up and behind square for one at deep point. |
| 16.4 : Reece Topley to David Miller, Full and on the pads, David Miller works it to the leg side for a single. Topley runs and chases the ball and keeps it to one. |
| 16.5 : Reece Topley to Tristan Stubbs, Too full and on off, Tristan Stubbs gets the stride ahead and drives it along the grass towards long off for one. |
| 16.6 : Reece Topley to David Miller, Takes the pace off, and deceives the southpaw with a slower bumper, on the top of the stumps, David Miller waits and attempts for a pull shot but gets beaten. Good one from Topley, just 5 runs from it. |
| Bowling change. |
| 17.1 : Jofra Archer to Tristan Stubbs, Cannons a pin-point yorker around leg, Tristan Stubbs shuffles a bit outside leg and jams it in time, and hits it back to Archer. |
| 17.2 : Jofra Archer to Tristan Stubbs, Fuller and angling on the leg stump line, Tristan Stubbs flicks it along the carpet for a single towards widish long on. |
| 17.3 : Jofra Archer to David Miller, SIX! Go fetch that says Miller! |
| 17.4 : Jofra Archer to David Miller, Slower one, an off-cutter on off, and on a short of a good length, David Miller goes for a cut shot but misses. |
| 17.5 : Jofra Archer to David Miller, Short and outside off, David Miller stands tall and pulls it flatly on a bounce at deep mid-wicket and rotates the strike with a single. |
| 17.6 : Jofra Archer to Tristan Stubbs, What was he trying to do here? Short and down the leg side, it gets an extra bit of bounce as well. Tristan Stubbs premeditates the switch hit and makes a complete mess out of it. He fails to connect and the ball goes past his willow's edge to the keeper. |
| 18.1 : Sam Curran to David Miller, Curran bowls it attacking the off-pole on a length, David Miller stays leg side of the ball, and slashes it off towards deep extra covers and scampers back for the second. Good running. |
| 18.2 : Sam Curran to David Miller, 2 runs. |
| 18.3 : Sam Curran to David Miller, SIX! This time he gets the timing correct! Misses the yorker by a yard or so, on off, and serves a friendly half-volley, David Miller makes room by shuffling to the leg side and to open the off side for him. He lifts it up and over covers for a huge six. |
| 18.4 : Sam Curran to David Miller, WIDE! Slower one, short and outside off. Wided. |
| Sam Curran to David Miller, Slower again, short and outside off, David Miller creates room and cuts it wide of covers for a single. |
| 18.5 : Sam Curran to Tristan Stubbs, Around the wicket, angling on off from a good length, Tristan Stubbs swings across but chops it over the stumps with an inside edge. The ball trickles towards leg side for a single. |
| 18.6 : Sam Curran to David Miller, Good length, and closer to the off stump, David Miller drives it on the up towards long off for a single. 14 runs off the penultimate over. |
| 19.1 : Jofra Archer to David Miller, OUT! TAKEN! Magnificent catch from Harry Brook! |
| 0.0 : Marco Jansen is the new man in. |
| 19.2 : Who comes in next? |
| Jofra Archer to Marco Jansen, OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! This time Sam Curran takes an audacious catch! Jofra Archer gets his third. |
| 19.3 : Jofra Archer to Keshav Maharaj, FOUR! Doesn't get the Hat-Trick but a boundary instead. |
| 19.4 : Jofra Archer to Keshav Maharaj, 1 run. |
| 19.5 : Jofra Archer to Tristan Stubbs, 2 runs. |
| 19.6 : Jofra Archer to Tristan Stubbs, Pace off on a length, in front of the stumps, Tristan Stubbs plays the pull shot way too early, inside edges to the square leg region for a just a single. What an excellent finish by England towards the backend. South Africa finish at 163/6. |
| 0.0 : An innings that could be divided into different phases as neither side was able to dominate throughout the first 20 overs but eventually, it will be England who will be the happier of the two sides heading into the break as they have restricted the Proteas to 163/6 which is about 20 runs short of what looks like a par score. |
| South Africa started with a bang thanks to some lusty blows from Quinton de Kock and they managed to have all wickets intact at the end of the Powerplay with 63 runs on the board. Reeza Hendricks was sluggish at the other end de Kock was forced to take a few risks and soon enough, they started losing wickets in the middle phase. David Miller stabilized the innings somewhat after a torrid period of batting and managed to get some boundaries in the death overs. Tristan Stubbs provided decent supp |
| England have managed to get back into the contest after the early onslaught from Quinton de Kock. The spinners bowled well in the middle phase and Adil Rashid in particular was very economical and even picked up a wicket. Jofra Archer too came back strongly after a torrid first I over. Their outfielding was sensational as skipper Jos Buttler led from the front with a fine catch and a stellar run-out. Even in the final over, they took a couple of amazing catches which helped Archer finish the inn |
| David Miller is up for a flash interview. He says it was nice to get some runs towards the backend. Says they started well but slowed down in the mid-overs. He reckons that the boys batted well and thinks 160 is a good total. |
| ... The Run Chase ... |
| Right then, 163 is the lowest first-innings total at this venue so far in this competition, and that hands the advantage to England who have a hard-hitting and deep batting lineup. South Africa though will believe that they have the bowling attack that can defend any total and will be eyeing early wickets in the Powerplay. Don't go anywhere as the all-important chase is up next. |
| We are back for the chase! |
| 0.1 : Marco Jansen to Phil Salt, Drama first up! Marco Jansen starts off from over the wickets, and gets an inward movement on the pads, on the length, Phil Salt hops on the back foot and looks to tuck it away but misses. The ball takes off from the thigh pad, and lobs up towards the short fine where Kagiso Rabada leaps in the air and takes it. |
| 0.2 : Marco Jansen to Phil Salt, No run. |
| 0.3 : Marco Jansen to Phil Salt, Six! |
| 0.4 : Marco Jansen to Phil Salt, Back of a length, shade outside off, Phil Salt punches it to covers on the back foot. |
| 0.5 : Marco Jansen to Phil Salt, Full and swinging into the batter on the middle and leg, Phil Salt steers it towards deep mid-wicket for one. |
| 0.6 : Marco Jansen to Jos Buttler, 1 run. |
| 1.1 : Kagiso Rabada to Jos Buttler, KG Rabada comes from over the wicket and lands it on a hard length, outside off, Jos Buttler reaches for it and drives it to covers. |
| 0.0 : Kagiso Rabada to operate from the other end. |
| 1.2 : Kagiso Rabada to Jos Buttler, Angles it on the pads this time, on a length at 138 kph. Jos Buttler steers it to widish mid on for a single. |
| 1.3 : Kagiso Rabada to Phil Salt, FOUR! Punished! Lands it outside off, on a fuller length, Phil Salt takes a step ahead and thumps it downtown for a boundary. The mid off fielder chases the ball to the deep but it has got enough wheels on it to breach the fence. |
| 1.4 : Kagiso Rabada to Phil Salt, Good length, and closer to the off-stump, Phil Salt drives it hard towards the bowler. |
| 1.5 : Kagiso Rabada to Phil Salt, WIDE! A pace-off delivery by Rabada on a length, but angling down the leg side, Phil Salt swivels to pull it away but misses to connect. Wide given. |
| Kagiso Rabada to Phil Salt, WIDE! He will have to reload that one again. Sprays it down the leg stump line again. Phil Salt goes for another pull shot but misses. Wide again. |
| Kagiso Rabada to Phil Salt, OUT! TAKEN! Screamer of a catch from Reeza Hendricks. He didn't have a good outing with the bat, but takes an absolute blinder at covers. Phil Salt departs early this time and the Proteas are up in delight. |
| 0.0 : Jonny Bairstow walks in at number 3. |
| 1.6 : Kagiso Rabada to Jonny Bairstow, A yorker at the stumps, Jonny Bairstow clips it nicely and gets off the mark with a single towards deep square leg. |
| 2.1 : Marco Jansen to Jonny Bairstow, Good running. |
| 2.2 : Marco Jansen to Jonny Bairstow, No run. |
| 2.3 : Marco Jansen to Jonny Bairstow, On the back of a length, at the stumps, Jonny Bairstow hops on the back foot and eases it in front of covers for a quick single. |
| 2.4 : Marco Jansen to Jos Buttler, Screamer of a delivery there by Jansen! |
| 2.5 : Marco Jansen to Jos Buttler, Yorker on off at 143 kph, on off, Jos Buttler makes room and shovels it out to covers. The fielder misfields and allows to fetch a single. Oh, wait! Jansen has overstepped here and it is a No Ball. Free Hit to follow now. |
| Marco Jansen to Jonny Bairstow, FOUR! Ugly but quite effective. A low full toss on the stumps, Jonny Bairstow takes his front leg out and goes for an expansive shot as he swings it across the line, but gets a thickish inside edge and the ball races through the left of short fine for a boundary. |
| 2.6 : Marco Jansen to Jonny Bairstow, Bends his back and bangs it short on the bodyline, Jonny Bairstow miscues the pull shot towards deep square leg for a single. |
| 3.1 : Kagiso Rabada to Jonny Bairstow, DROPPED! Would you believe it? Heinrich Klaasen shells a sitter and Kagiso Rabada has his hands on his head in disbelief. Length-delivery outside off, Jonny Bairstow throws kitchen-sink at it and flashes hard but slices it in the air towards deep backward point where Heinrich Klaasen runs forward but fails to sustain the catch in his hands and drops it. Allows a single. |
| 3.2 : Kagiso Rabada to Jos Buttler, No run. |
| 3.3 : Kagiso Rabada to Jos Buttler, 1 run. |
| 3.4 : Kagiso Rabada to Jonny Bairstow, Pace-off and outside off on a length, Jonny Bairstow gets his one hand off the bat and hits it straight to covers. |
| 3.5 : Kagiso Rabada to Jonny Bairstow, No run. |
| 3.6 : Kagiso Rabada to Jonny Bairstow, No run. |
| 4.1 : Keshav Maharaj to Jos Buttler, Drops it full and outside off, Jos Buttler drives it along the ground and wide of long off for a brace. |
| 4.2 : Keshav Maharaj to Jos Buttler, FOUR! There comes the switch-hit! Flighted off-break around off, Jos Buttler reads it early and reverse sweeps it over backward point for a boundary. |
| 4.3 : Keshav Maharaj to Jos Buttler, 1 run. |
| 4.4 : Keshav Maharaj to Jonny Bairstow, Flights it up, around off, Jonny Bairstow gets his front leg ahead and eases it towards long off for another single. |
| 4.5 : Keshav Maharaj to Jos Buttler, Pulls his length slightly this time, and delivers it around off, Jos Buttler hits it straight to covers. |
| 4.6 : Keshav Maharaj to Jos Buttler, Loops it up, on off, Jos Buttler presses forward and drives it towards covers again. |
| 5.1 : Ottneil Baartman to Jonny Bairstow, Starts from over the stumps and bowls it full and outside off, taking come pace off as well. Jonny Bairstow backs away and gets an inside edge past the stumps. The ball rolls to short fine leg and they get a single. |
| 5.2 : Ottneil Baartman to Jos Buttler, Jos Buttler looks to step out but Ottneil Baartman shortens the length and angles it into the body. The ball goes off the thigh bat to backward square leg and they get a leg bye. |
| 5.3 : Ottneil Baartman to Jonny Bairstow, On a hard length and outside off, going away from the right-hander, Jonny Bairstow hangs back and looks to go over covers but is well beaten. |
| 5.4 : Ottneil Baartman to Jonny Bairstow, 2 runs. |
| 5.5 : Ottneil Baartman to Jonny Bairstow, Good change of length here from Ottneil Baartman. Spears in the yorker around off stump, Jonny Bairstow makes room to open up the off side but the ball sneaks past the inside edge and misses the off stump by a few inches. |
| 5.6 : Ottneil Baartman to Jonny Bairstow, Excellent end to the Powerplay by Ottneil Baartman and England are 44/1, their lowest Powerplay total of the competition so far. Pitched up on the off stump line, Jonny Bairstow drills it straight back and the ball deflects away off Baartman's hand to mid off and they get a single. |
| 6.1 : Keshav Maharaj to Jonny Bairstow, Bowled a bit fuller and around off stump, Jonny Bairstow brings out the reverse sweep but finds the man at short third man. |
| 6.2 : Keshav Maharaj to Jonny Bairstow, And again! Pushed through quicker around off stump, Jonny Bairstow nails the reverse sweep but hits it straight to the man at backward point this time. |
| 6.3 : Keshav Maharaj to Jonny Bairstow, On a length and around middle, drifted in, Jonny Bairstow goes down on one knee and slogs it away to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 6.4 : Keshav Maharaj to Jos Buttler, On a length and sliding it into the pads, Jos Buttler nudges it away wide of short fine leg and picks up a single. |
| 6.5 : Keshav Maharaj to Jonny Bairstow, OUT! CAUGHT! Jonny Bairstow won't get another life and Keshav Maharaj gets the breakthrough for South Africa. Maharaj changes the length and shortens it, bowling it slower and around off. The ball grips a bit and turns away, Jonny Bairstow rocks back and tries to cut hard but ends up slicing it in front of point. Anrich Nortje there scampers across his his right and dives in to take a fine catch with both hands. |
| Moeen Ali is in at number 4. |
| 6.6 : Keshav Maharaj to Moeen Ali, On a length, flatter and around off from over the stumps, Moeen Ali blocks it off the front foot. |
| 7.1 : Anrich Nortje to Jos Buttler, Starts on the shorter side and angles it into the hips, Jos Buttler tucks it away just past square leg and picks up a single in the deep. |
| 7.2 : Anrich Nortje to Moeen Ali, Short again over leg stump, Moeen Ali uses his wrists and works it down to deep fine leg for an easy single. |
| 7.3 : Anrich Nortje to Jos Buttler, No run. |
| 7.4 : Anrich Nortje to Jos Buttler, Banged in well short over middle, a bit slower too, Jos Buttler swivels and pulls it away without much timing wide of deep square leg and picks up a handy couple of runs. |
| 7.5 : Anrich Nortje to Jos Buttler, Short again, quicker this time and following the batter down leg, Jos Buttler manages to pull it down to fine leg for a single. |
| 7.6 : Anrich Nortje to Moeen Ali, Just over the top! Takes some pace off and bowls it into the pitch, angling it wide of the off stump. Moeen Ali gets stuck on the crease and reaches out, lobbing the ball over the head of the fielder at short cover for a couple of runs more. |
| 8.1 : Keshav Maharaj to Jos Buttler, Floated up on the stumps, Jos Buttler brings out the reverse sweep and drags the ball to sweeper cover for just a single. |
| 8.2 : Keshav Maharaj to Moeen Ali, Flighted ball, looped up outside off, Moeen Ali plants his front leg across and sweeps it hard to the left of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. Good effort in the deep! |
| 8.3 : Keshav Maharaj to Moeen Ali, On a shorter length and bowled wide of the off stump, Moeen Ali goes across a bit and cuts it in front of point for just a single. |
| 8.4 : Keshav Maharaj to Jos Buttler, OUT! CAUGHT! The pressure was telling and Keshav Maharaj has got rid of the dangerman Jos Buttler. |
| Who walks in next to bat? |
| 8.5 : Keshav Maharaj to Harry Brook, Pushed through a bit fuller and at the stumps, Harry Brook tentatively plays it off the inner edge of the bat on the leg side for a single. |
| 8.6 : Keshav Maharaj to Moeen Ali, Floated up on a length outside off and turning back in, Moeen Ali punches it from the crease through the cover region and picks up a single. |
| 9.1 : Aiden Markram to Moeen Ali, No run. |
| 9.2 : Aiden Markram to Moeen Ali, 1 run. |
| 9.3 : Aiden Markram to Harry Brook, Switches to over the wicket for the right-hander and bowls it flatter on the legs, Harry Brook flicks it away through the mid-wicket region and turns the strike over. |
| 9.4 : Aiden Markram to Moeen Ali, Flighted up around off stump, Moeen Ali leans on and uppishly plays it between the two cover fielders for a quick single. |
| 9.5 : Aiden Markram to Harry Brook, On a length and outside off, Harry Brook leans right ahead and plays it back to the bowler. |
| 9.6 : Aiden Markram to Harry Brook, 1 run. |
| 10.1 : Ottneil Baartman to Harry Brook, On the back of a length, around off, Harry Brook guides it with the pace towards deep third for a single. |
| 0.0 : Drinks! Well, this game is more tilted toward the Proteas as they have managed to dismiss the top three, way before the halfway mark in the chase. The pacers started off really well with Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen troubling the batters for runs. Keshav Maharaj then compounded the pressure and hasn't given away anything as well. Also, South Africa's efforts in the fielding have been top-drawer, to say the least. England is crawling behind the eight ball and needs a strong resilient partner |
| 10.2 : Ottneil Baartman to Moeen Ali, OUT! c Keshav Maharaj b Ottneil Baartman. |
| 0.0 : Liam Livingstone walks in at number 6. |
| 10.3 : Ottneil Baartman to Liam Livingstone, Leg bye. |
| 10.4 : Ottneil Baartman to Harry Brook, No run. |
| 10.5 : Ottneil Baartman to Harry Brook, Hits the deck hard, attacks the stumps, Harry Brook watches it closely and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 10.6 : Ottneil Baartman to Harry Brook,  Length ball angling in from outside off, Harry Brook pushes it towards mid on for a quick single. |
| 11.1 : Anrich Nortje to Harry Brook, Aims the stumps, on a hard length, Harry Brook hits it off the inner half of the bat towards deep square leg for one. |
| 11.2 : Anrich Nortje to Liam Livingstone, Full in length, and on the pads, Liam Livingstone flicks it away towards deep square leg for a single. |
| 11.3 : Anrich Nortje to Harry Brook, Angling onto the pads, on a hard length, Harry Brook clips it towards deep fine for a single. |
| 11.4 : Anrich Nortje to Liam Livingstone, FOUR! Good shot! Short in length, on the stumps, Liam Livingstone clears his front leg and pulls it in front of square towards deep mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| Is that a run out? |
| 11.5 : Anrich Nortje to Liam Livingstone, 1 run. |
| 11.6 : Anrich Nortje to Harry Brook, Short and outside off, Harry Brook drags and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single to end the over. |
| 12.1 : Keshav Maharaj to Harry Brook, Drifts it onto the pads, on a fullish length, Harry Brook leans onto the ball and flicks it along the ground towards deep mid-wicket for a brace. Good running between the wickets by the two. |
| 12.2 : Keshav Maharaj to Harry Brook, No run. |
| 12.3 : Keshav Maharaj to Harry Brook, FOUR! Swept away with ease! Drifts it onto the pads, and lands it full in length, the ball further tails in with the wind, Harry Brook sits down and sweeps it very well through deep square leg for a boundary. |
| 12.4 : Keshav Maharaj to Harry Brook, Length ball, on off, Harry Brook defends it back to the bowler. |
| 12.5 : Keshav Maharaj to Harry Brook, Direct hit would've surely been tight! |
| 12.6 : Keshav Maharaj to Harry Brook, On middle and full, Harry Brook attempts a reverse sweep but airs it off the top edge in front of short third for a single. |
| 13.1 : Marco Jansen to Harry Brook, Angles it on the pads, on a length, Harry Brook clips it across the line towards deep backward square leg for a single. |
| 13.2 : Marco Jansen to Liam Livingstone, Ouch, that must have hurt! |
| 13.3 : Marco Jansen to Liam Livingstone, Back of a length, wide of off, Liam Livingstone walks down a couple of steps and slashes it towards deep point for one. |
| 13.4 : Marco Jansen to Harry Brook, Hits the deck hard again, on a tight line, at the stumps, Harry Brook cuts it closer to the body and finds backward point in the midway. |
| 13.5 : Marco Jansen to Harry Brook, FOUR! Gets it through this time. Much-needed one for England. |
| 13.6 : Marco Jansen to Harry Brook, Swing and a miss. On a length and on the middle, Harry Brook shuffles way across the stumps and goes to scoop it up but misses. The ball carries through to the keeper. |
| 14.1 : Kagiso Rabada to Liam Livingstone, SIX! Smashed away and all the way into the stands! |
| 14.2 : Kagiso Rabada to Liam Livingstone, Short and outside off, Liam Livingstone pulls it hard to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 14.3 : Kagiso Rabada to Harry Brook, Goes full this time, and outside off, Harry Brook drives it on the up through cover-point for a brace. |
| 14.4 : Kagiso Rabada to Harry Brook, FOUR! Flashed away! |
| 14.5 : Kagiso Rabada to Harry Brook, FOUR! This is good from Brook! KG Rabada delivers a slower off-cutter outside off, on a fuller length, Harry Brook shuffles across and outside off, and scoops it over short fine for a boundary. |
| 14.6 : Kagiso Rabada to Harry Brook, Slower one again, outside off and short in length, Harry Brook steers it down to deep backward square leg for a single to end the over. 5 overs remaining and England need 59 runs to win. This partnership is turning out to be a pivotal one for them. |
| 15.1 : Anrich Nortje to Harry Brook, FOUR! A perfect start to the over for Harry Brook and England. Anrich Nortje runs in and bangs it in short around off at over 144 clicks, Brook gives him the charge and swats the ball up and over mid off for a boundary. |
| 15.2 : Anrich Nortje to Harry Brook, FOUR! Harry Brook is now toying with the field and what a momentum shift this has been. Just back of a length and angling back in from middle, Brrok makes room and smashes the ball wide of covers and picks up yet another boundary. |
| 15.3 : Anrich Nortje to Harry Brook, 1 run. |
| 15.4 : Anrich Nortje to Liam Livingstone, Full and quick, angled in at the toes, Liam Livingstone takes the front leg out and flicks it away past square leg for just a single. |
| 15.5 : Anrich Nortje to Harry Brook, WIDE! Oh, that's a slightly harsh call and Anrich Nortje will feel he nailed that delivery. Sees Harry Brook making room and gets in the wide yorker, flirting with the tramline outside off and maybe that sneaked inside the line as well but it will be a wide. |
| Anrich Nortje to Harry Brook, Full and straight, Harry Brook flicks the ball down to fine leg and picks up a single. |
| 15.6 : Anrich Nortje to Liam Livingstone, Good length angled into middle, Liam Livingstone clears the front leg and clobbers the ball flat down to long on and picks up just another single. |
| 16.1 : Ottneil Baartman to Liam Livingstone, FOUR! Flat and hard! Ottneil Baartman misses the wide yorker and ends up serving a full toss, Liam Livingstone hangs deep in the crease and reaches out before slapping it flat to the left of sweeper cover where Tristan Stubbs dives across but the ball evades him and goes on the bounce and into the ropes. |
| 16.2 : Ottneil Baartman to Liam Livingstone, FOUR! That is a gift for Liam Livingstone. A juicy full toss wide of the off stump, Liam hangs back again and forces the lofted shot with raw power over the cover region and picks up another boundary. |
| 16.3 : Ottneil Baartman to Liam Livingstone, Six! |
| 16.4 : Ottneil Baartman to Liam Livingstone, Four full tosses in a row and this time, Ottneil Baartman gets away with it. This is bowled on middle and Liam Livingstone swipes across the line towards deep mid-wicket before picking up a couple of runs. |
| 16.5 : Ottneil Baartman to Liam Livingstone, Finally, Ottneil Baartman gets one into the deck and bowls it outside off, Liam Livingstone hits it down to long off and collects a single. |
| 16.6 : Ottneil Baartman to Harry Brook, FOUR! A fifth full toss to end the over and Ottneil Baartman has crumbled under pressure here. On middle, not that high but enough for Harry Brook to get under it and heave it over mid on for another boundary. 21 off that over and now, England need 25 runs off 18 balls. |
| 17.1 : Kagiso Rabada to Liam Livingstone, Kagiso Rabada now bowls a full toss, on middle and gets away with it. Liam Livingstone punches the ball straight back and KG manages to get a hand on it. |
| 17.2 : Kagiso Rabada to Liam Livingstone, OUT! c Tristan Stubbs b Kagiso Rabada. |
| 0.0 : Sam Curran walks in at number 7. England need 25 runs off 16 balls remaining. This is surely going down to the wire! |
| 17.3 : Kagiso Rabada to Sam Curran, Bowled a bit into the pitch and over middle and leg, Sam Curran works it away from the crease and through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 17.4 : Kagiso Rabada to Harry Brook, Slower one, into the pitch and following the batter down the leg side, Harry Brook pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 17.5 : Kagiso Rabada to Sam Curran, Another slower ball, on a good length and sliding onto the pads, Sam Curran tucks it neatly through mid-wicket and looks for two again but won't get it. |
| 17.6 : Kagiso Rabada to Harry Brook, Kagiso Rabada delivers under pressure again just as he did in the last game and South Africa are still in the game. Goes slower and into the pitch again, angling it in at the batter, Harry Brook backs away and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 21 needed now off 12 balls. |
| 18.1 : Marco Jansen to Harry Brook, Jansen comes from over the stumps and pitches it a bit up, angling it across the right-hander. Harry Brook looks to fetch and swips across the line but miscues it back to the bowler. |
| 18.2 : Marco Jansen to Harry Brook, That is brilliant running and that will be FIFTY for Harry Brook, his first in the T20 World Cup and third T20I fifty overall. Marco Jansen bangs this one in a bit over the stumps, Brook gets across a bit and pulls it through mid-wicket and races back for the second run. Brook will be aware that his job isn't quite done yet. |
| 18.3 : Marco Jansen to Harry Brook, Bowled back of a length, a bit slower and angled across the right-hander. Harry Brook goes a long way across the off stump trying to pull it behind square but gets it off the gloves and the ball goes nowhere. They scamper through for a quick single. |
| 18.4 : Marco Jansen to Sam Curran, 1 run. |
| 18.5 : Marco Jansen to Harry Brook, Up in the air but won't carry! Jansen bangs it in and angles it well across off stump, Harry Brook comes forward to go over covers but slices it up into the breeze and the ball lands well short of Tristan Stubbs who runs in from deep cover. Just another single. |
| 18.6 : Marco Jansen to Sam Curran, Pushing hard for two and they will get it, 14 needed now off the final over and that is a solid over from Marco Jansen. |
| Anrich Nortje (3-0-29-0) to bowl the final over of the chase. England need 14 off the last 6 deliveries. |
| 19.1 : Anrich Nortje to Harry Brook, OUT! c Aiden Markram b Anrich Nortje. |
| 0.0 : Jofra Archer is the new man in. England still need 14 off the last 5. |
| 19.2 : Anrich Nortje to Jofra Archer, Goes full and quick and attacks the toes well, Chris Jordan clears the front leg and whips it away in front of square leg for a single. |
| 19.3 : Anrich Nortje to Sam Curran, FOUR! That is a poor delivery from Anrich Nortje but Sam Curran still had to put it away. |
| 19.4 : Anrich Nortje to Sam Curran, A golden dot ball and Sam Curran has denied the single to Jofra Archer. Anrich Nortje misses his mark and serves a full toff over middle and leg, Sam Curran does get cramped up a bit and ends up heaving it straight to deep mid-wicket. |
| 19.5 : Anrich Nortje to Sam Curran, That should do it for South Africa and that's brilliant bowling from Anrich Nortje. |
| 19.6 : Anrich Nortje to Jofra Archer, That's it, South Africa have done it! Anrich Nortje hits the deck hard and bowls it around middle and leg, angling it in with pace on. Jofra Archer stays back in the crease, clears the front leg and swings across the line but misses and the ball goes through to the keeper for a dot ball. SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 7 RUNS! |
| 0.0 : SOUTH AFRICA WIN THIS CRACKER OF A CONTEST BY 7 RUNS AND MAINTAIN THEIR UNBEATEN RUN IN THIS 2024 T20 WORLD CUP! What an absolute humdinger this has been, going down to the wire, two excellent sides going toe-to-toe against each other, with no one ready to concede, but it was the mighty Proteas who ended on the winning side. England fought hard but the last few overs toward the backend didn't go as planned and that made the difference and it was too little too late in the end. |
| England's innings began with Jos Buttler and Phil Salt cautiously testing the pitch. Salt managed a powerful six but fell shortly after for 11. Buttler and Jonny Bairstow then kept the score moving, skillfully rotating the strike. Bairstow got an early reprieve when he was dropped, but couldn't capitalize and departed soon after. As a result, England crawled inside the Powerplay with two men down early and were comparatively behind their opponents. Jos Buttler too struggled during his time at |
| The Proteas, looking to recover from their modest batting performance, needed quick wickets. Rabada delivered, snaring an early victim thanks to Hendricks' spectacular catch at cover. Jansen provided solid support, maintaining tight lines. England narrowly avoided losing two early wickets when Klaasen couldn't hold onto Bairstow's chance. Despite this, South Africa's pacers kept the scoring in check during the powerplay. Maharaj then struck in his second over, dismissing Bairstow and leveling th |
| Earlier in the game, South Africa started off steady, but then Quinton de Kock shifted gears and gave the pacers a rough time. They sailed through the powerplay without any hiccups. Once the fielding restrictions were lifted, and spinners came on, runs were at a premium as they squeezed and stemmed the flow of runs. No batter barring Quinton de Kock was at ease at the crease and wickets kept falling with QDK too perishing eventually on 65. Jofra Archer, expensive in his first over, picked a bri |
| The Presentation ceremony... |
| Quinton de Kock is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant innings early in the game. De Kock starts by saying that a couple of night games early on have led everyone to believe that it is a very high-scoring pitch but it is quite different in the day game. Adds that his plan was just to bat and score heavily and the wicket was good early on and had a nice bounce too. Mentions that he takes it game by game and starts off from scratch. Reckons that they bowled well, especially in the Powerplay |
| Jos Buttler, the skipper of England starts by appreciating Quinton de Kock as says he came in with a lot of intent and they couldn't match up with the bat, and also mentions that they were 20 runs behind in the Powerplay. Adds they did well with the ball and came in brilliantly. He appreciates Liam Livingstone and Harry Brook for putting up a good fight and almost taking away the game from South Africa. Ends up by saying they are still very much in the competition and they have played really goo |
| Aiden Markram, the captain of South Africa says that specifically today when it got to the final three overs, the odds were against them but the bowlers held their nerves. Adds that Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks took on the Powerplay well for them and they knew they needed to squeeze in the middle and save runs in the field and are on the right track. Mentions that every match is going to be a challenge and applauds a few of the players who have stepped up and he doesn't want to dig too |
| Right then, this is it from this action-packed marquee clash where South Africa took the game away from England. South Africa are now the table-toppers in Group BÂ maintaining a clean sheet, and England on the other hand will be gutted as they were too close yet too far in the end. Well, the clash lived up to its billing, and the fans were treated with an absolute humdinger. The action continues and things are spicing up in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2024 as next up in the Super 8 phase is an |
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