1st T20I, Cape Town, November 27, 2020, 09:30 PM
South Africa
179/6(20.0ov)
England
183/5(19.2ov)
England beat South Africa by 5 wickets
That's all from this game! England take a 1-0 lead in the series after a solid performance. South Africa, on the other hand, would be a tad disappointed with the effort. The second game is on Sunday, the 29th of November 2020. The action will begin at 1430 local (1230 GMT). Until then cheers and take care.
Eoin Morgan, the England skipper, says that it is really pleasing and he feels that it was a very good win. Adds that Bairstow played really well on this wicket. States that Stokes and Jonny rebuilding in that manner was nice to see. Adds that they missed some areas with the ball as they bowled a little too full and with the bat, it was not ideal to lose three wickets early. Goes onto say that the more time they spend together, they get to know more about roles they have to play.
Quinton de Kock, the South African skipper, says that it was a good total on the board and they knew how to bowl on this wicket but it did not come off in this game. Adds that the way that Stokes and Bairstow played took the game away from them. Tells that Bairstow played really well and changed his game as per the pitch. Is happy with how Linde bowled on his debut. Goes onto say that he will just pinpoint the small things in the field and show a bit more match awareness.
Jonny Bairstow, the MAN OF THE MATCH, says that it is pleasing to start the series with some runs and is pleased to get the win. Adds that he enjoyed batting at a different position and he got to learn to factor innings in a different way. States that he was happy with how he played in the Indian T20 League. Goes on say that this wicket was a little slow and the wicket in Paarl will be better to bat on. Tells that they were always in the game if they got a partnership and they have a strong batting line-up.
Earlier after being put into bat, South Africa lost Temba Bavuma in the first over but de Kock and du Plessis brought stability to the side with their 77-run stand. After the departure of de Kock, Faf too joined him ito the pavillion after getting to his fifty. But contributions from Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen along with some final touches from George Linde ensured South Africa end on a score close to 180. England, on the bowling front, were good as Sam Curran picked up a 3-wicket haul whereas, Archer and Jordan ended up with a wicket each. Adil Rashid as usual was economical though he did not pick any wickets. Tom Curran had an off day as he ended up conceding 55 in his 4 overs but had a wicket to so for as a compensation. All-in-all, a good game of cricket. Stay tuned for presentations...
The bowling from South Africa, if it is to be talked about, then the one bowler which impressed one and all was the debutant George Linde. His maiden wicket off just his second ball in T20Is set the tone of South Africa's defense of the total. In his four overs, he went for 20 runs and bagged a couple of big wickets of Jason Roy and Dawid Malan. Rabada, Shamsi and Ngidi all were decent with the ball as Shamsi and Ngidi ended in the wickets column but Rabada failed to pick up any wickets. The disappointment for South Africa in bowling was Beuran Hendricks. Hendricks in his 4 overs was clobbered. In the end, poor bowling cost them the game.
Ben Stokes though departed after stitching an 85-run stand with Bairstow. Morgan though looked a bit rusty in his stay as he failed to get the ball of the middle of his bat. And just when England were in touching distance of a victory, Morgan holed out. Jonny Bairstow though played responsibily as he ensured that he stays till the end to see his side home along with Sam Curran. Bairstow's fiery knock of 86 runs from just 48 balls took the game away from South Africa as he deposited anything that was thrown to him.
This is the fifth time England have chased down a target of 180 or more in T20Is, which is the second most by a team. Only India have achieved it more (7).
What a victory for England. A brilliant display of batting from them. Chasing a total of 180 required them to get off to a rollicking start which they failed to get. Losing Jason Roy in the first over itself put them under unwanted pressure and then the departure of Buttler and Malan did not do good to their cause. But then emerged Jonny Bairstow in a new role at number 4. He along with Ben Stokes ensured that the required run rate is kept in check as they went after the bowling.
19.2
6
SIX! What a way to end the match! What an innings! Full on off, Bairstow clears his front leg and then powers it over long on for a biggie. ENGLAND WIN BY 5 WICKETS.
19.1
4
FOUR! That helps England! Good length ball on off, Bairstow bludgeons it to the deep mid-wicket region for a boundary.
In over# 1
1
1
6
1
2
0
Kagiso Rabada 32/0(4)
18.6
1
A single to end the over. Full on middle, Bairstow drives it to long on for a single. Can South Africa defend 7 in the final over?
18.5
1
Good length ball outside off, Curran hammers it to deep cover for a single.
18.4
6
SIX! That will ease the nerves! What a shot under pressure. Slower ball outside off, Curran waits for it and then heaves it over long on for a maximum. 9 needed in 8 now.
18.3
1
Slower short ball on middle, Bairstow pulls but finds deep mid-wicket. Only a single.
18.2
2
Short ball on middle, Bairstow pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a couple.
18.1
.
Excellent ball to start! Wow! Yorker on the pads, Bairstow clears his front leg to heave but the ball goes in between his legs.
Kagiso Rabada to bowl the penultimate over. 3-0-21-0 are his figures so far.
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