After an action-packed ODI series, England and South Africa resume their rivalry tomorrow evening, only this time in the T20 format.
With another ICC T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India pencilled in for early next year, these matches are of huge significance for two nations who will be among the pre-tournament favourites.
Read on as we preview the first of three T20Is between England and South Africa at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, providing you with the latest cricket odds for your midweek bet.
England vs South Africa Preview
South Africa won the ODI series 2-1, though the visiting side suffered a demoralising defeat in the final match.
The Proteas lost by 342 runs after England posted 414/5 in the first innings, which is a record run defeat in the history of men’s ODIs.
But South Africa, skippered by all-rounder Aiden Markram, now have the chance to bounce back in style against Harry Brook and his England team.
The Proteas recently played a three-match T20I series in Australia, losing 2-1 in clashes full of runs and wickets.
England’s last T20I series saw them thrash West Indies 3-0 earlier in the summer, though captain Brook will be well aware that 2024 World Cup finalists South Africa represent a step up in quality in this format.
The Three Lions have also been forced to make several changes to the squad in order to manage player workloads, with key batters Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith rested.
But all-rounder Sam Curran is back in the fold after another fantastic Hundred campaign with Oval Invincibles, and he can bolster an already star-studded batting line-up featuring Brook, Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks and others.
As for South Africa, Markram will hope to be able to recall strike bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen after the pair missed the whole ODI series, while Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Dewald Brevis are two six-hitting machines who can light up Sophia Gardens.
England vs South Africa Odds
*All odds are subject to change
England are big favourites to win the opening match of this series, priced at just 1.55. A victory for South Africa is at odds of 2.23.
England vs South Africa Betting Tips
England top batter – Phil Salt @ 4.50
Opening batter Salt enjoyed another successful Hundred season while skippering Manchester Originals – and he has a fantastic record in T20Is, averaging 34.08 at a strike rate of 164.32. Salt has also hit three 100s in this format, so we really like the look of his odds here.
South Africa top batter – Dewald Brevis @ 4.75
Brevis is batting like a man possessed right now. In the T20I series vs Australia, the rising star of international cricket hit an unbeaten 125 in Darwin, and followed it up with a well-made 53 in Cairns. If Brevis gets into his groove, the boundaries in Cardiff will not be big enough.
England top bowler – Jofra Archer @ 3.60
Archer looks back to his formidable best, which is fantastic news for English cricket following his well-documented injury issues. The lightning-quick seamer finished with 4/18 from nine overs in the final ODI vs South Africa, and you would not put it past him dismantling the Proteas’ top order again.
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