SA vs ENG: 3rd T20I, Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match?

The third and last encounter before the 50-over series will be a dead-rubber, although South Africa would be keen to open their account before heading to the longer format.

Published - 01 Dec 2020, 11:27 IST | Updated - 01 Dec 2020, 11:27 IST

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The visitors England managed to come up trumps against South Africa in the second T20I at Boland Park in Paarl, to gain an incontestable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The victory means that England now has an enviable streak of winning eight T20I series on the trot. Coming back to cricket after a massive run of inactivity, the Proteas have lacked the fire and the scoreline is representative of the same.

In both the games thus far, they have had their moments, but where England has got the better of them is in capitalizing on those moments better that have gone their way. That said, while South Africa lost the first encounter due to a disastrous 28-run over from Beuran Hendricks that led to a shift of momentum, in the second game, they were defeated much more convincingly after a lackadaisical show from both bat and ball.

Batting first on a slow track, Proteas found the going tough no batsman barring Quinton de Kock was able to counter the English bowlers with ease. Unfortunately, de Kock’s run at the crease did not last for too long either, whereas the other batsmen were suffocated thoroughly. Managing merely 146 with the bat, defending would have taken some exceptional effort with the ball, However, much to the disliking of the hosts, no bowler apart from Tabraiz Shamsi was successful in making an impact.

Dawid Malan proved his credentials with the bat, and on a track where no other batsman was able to get into the groove, he slammed a crucial 55 off just 40, which became the guide to his team’s 8th consecutive series win. The third and last encounter before the 50-over series will be a dead-rubber, although South Africa would be keen to open their account before heading to the longer format.

Pitch and conditions

The first game at Cape Town recorded 362 runs, where England chased down a 9 run per over target with 4 balls to spare. A similar batting-friendly track, with a little more assistance for the spinners, can be expected for tomorrow’s encounter. There is a slight chance of rain, although nothing enough to hamper the game.

Playing combinations for SA vs ENG

South Africa Probable XI

Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (C & WK), Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klassen, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

England Probable XI

Jason Roy, Jos Buttler (WK), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan, Ben Stokes, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood/Tom Curran, Moeen Ali/Chris Jordan, Jofra Archer.

Probable Top Performers for SA vs ENG

Jonny Bairstow (Eng)

Bairstow smacked a match-winning and unbeaten 86 in the first game three days ago, and it was on the back of his innings that England managed an all-important lead in the series. Though in the second game, the star-batsman failed to click, we must not forget that the track was not a typical T20 wicket, and the run-scoring was difficult due to the slowness and grip offered by the pitch. On a much better track at Cape Town, Bairstow is expected to go big again with all his might.

Faf du Plessis (SA)

Faf du Plessis has managed 66 runs in the two outings thus far. He was unable to contribute in the second game as he lost his wicket early, although, given his recent form in the IPL, where he ended up as the leading run-scorer for his team CSK, and the brilliant stroke-filled half-century in the first game, one can expect him to make the last game count.