SA vs ENG: Live Streaming, Match Preview, Timings, Pitch Report and more for 2nd T20I

Since 2018-19, England has won six and drawn one of their seven T20I series.

Published - 28 Nov 2020, 20:11 IST | Updated - 28 Nov 2020, 20:11 IST

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“Pretty average”, is what Eoin Morgan, the English skipper, thought and made of their victory over hosts South Africa in the first T20I. “I would imagine the more time we spend together and the more we play, the more we will get used to roles that we play and start to gel, as we have in 50-over cricket. It is not doom and gloom but hopefully, we will improve and progress in the next couple of games.”

Since 2018-19, England has won six and drawn one of their seven T20I series. And when a leader thinks the way Morgan does, one need not wonder how England have managed to establish their dominance in limited-overs cricket in the recent past. However, restricting the scope of his statement to Friday’s encounter, one could agree to some extent with his statement.

South Africa made a return to cricket after March. And despite the expected rust, they did well to push England into trouble quite a few times during the chase. England can be proud about pulling it off eventually somehow, and South Africa must be in remorse that they failed to capitalize despite being the favourites at one point in time.

After putting 179 on the board, they had reduced England to 34 for 3 courtesy of some skilful shows of debutant George Linde and Lungi Ngidi. SA lost the grip when Jonny Bairstow entered into the scheme of things. Even then, they were not completely down and out. Needing 51 from 24, and with Kagiso Rabada’s overs left in the bank, the Proteas would have backed themselves to mark their resumption on a winning note.

Although a horrendous, forgettable 28-run over from Beuran Hendricks was sufficient to suffocate their dream. Linde’s work with the ball was a certain positive for the team, although, the hosts must be cautious about their over-reliance on specific batsmen and the bowlers not being able to keep things tight at crucial moments.

Also Read: SA vs ENG Match Prediction

England, on the other hand, cannot let the victory cloak their shortcomings. As Morgan stated, they were indeed pretty average in at least a couple of senses or two. Tom Curran leaked runs with both hands, whereas the otherwise-reliant and ballistic top-order failed to chip in. That said, a victorious initiation in a three-match series is always crucial. With the series on the line, South Africa would want to play their best game tomorrow at Paarl.

Pitch and conditions

The track at Boland Park is known for its flatness. This means that the spinners, who are not often considered much in South Africa, will be in contention. Given the summer season; this being an evening game, and the better chasing record at this ground, the teams would prefer to chase upon winning the toss.

Playing combinations for SA vs ENG

South Africa

Temba Bavuma failed to click in the last game, and though a replacement after one failure looks improbable, the management might still want to give Reeza Hendricks a look-in. Anrich Nortje did not feature in the last game, and after Hendricks’ horror outing, he might pave way for the former. The team would want George Linde to continue his good run after an impressive debut. Tabraiz Shamsi will play his role as the spinner, whereas Kagiso Rabada will lead the pace attack alongside Lungi Ngidi.

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

England

The top-order crumbled completely in the last game as none amongst the top-three were able to make a notable contribution. Having said that, England is not known for making too many changes in their side, and after a victory in the first game, any chances of a change are only dimmer. Apart from a forced change, if any, they will play the same eleven.

Probable XI: Jason Roy, Jos Buttler (WK), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan, Ben Stokes, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, Jofra Archer.