After a farcical weather-impacted match in Cardiff yesterday evening, let’s hope for a full 40-over affair between England and South Africa tomorrow night.
England were allowed to bat just five overs in total due to persistent rain, and eventually lost by 14 runs courtesy of the DLS method.
But it still means South Africa are 1-0 up in the series, placing even more emphasis on the second encounter at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Check out some cricket betting tips focused on this fixture below, as well as the latest online odds for England vs South Africa.
England vs South Africa Preview
It is almost impossible to make any sort of judgements on the clash in Cardiff due to the adverse weather conditions.
The outfield was soaking wet, powerplays were adjusted and batters had no time whatsoever to get themselves set.
So if the rain stays away in Manchester (which is certainly not a given), this will be the first match of the three-game series to see where the teams are really at, ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup early next year.
England captain Harry Brook is likely to deploy a similar XI to the one in Cardiff, though expect Jofra Archer to come back in after the premium fast bowler was rested to avoid the risk of injury on a slippery surface.
Aiden Markram should also stick with the same team, with Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen each impressing with the ball on their comebacks.
In the nine previous T20Is which have been hosted at Old Trafford and finished with a result, England came out on top on six occasions.
But with big hitters like Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs and Donovan Ferreira, as well as a bowling attack which ranks among the very best in the world, 2024 World Cup finalists South Africa will be confident of silencing the Friday night crowd.
England vs South Africa Odds
England are once again the pre-match favourites, this time at a price of 1.61. South Africa are at odds of 2.12 to win the series in Manchester.
England vs South Africa Betting Tips
England top batter – Jos Buttler @ 3.75
In England’s five-over innings, Buttler was really the only man who came anywhere near to finding consistency with the willow. The Three Lions’ greatest ever white-ball batter still looks at the top of his game, and can take down South Africa’s attack at a ground he knows very well, having represented the Manchester Originals in the Hundred.
South Africa top batter – Aiden Markram @ 4.33
Markram looked in good nick during the ODI series and hit 28 off 14 balls in South Africa’s shortened Cardiff innings. A powerful ball striker with a technique perfected by his exploits in the Test format, the Proteas’ skipper is a hard man to control, let alone get out, in the T20 arena.
South Africa top bowler – Marco Jansen @ 3.75
Left-arm seamer Jansen stands at around 6 foot 8 inches, which could give him a distinct advantage at a ground renowned for providing true bounce. The all-rounder bowls at good pace and has a lot of change-ups, making him very hard to hit off the square. If Jansen gets into rhythm early, England’s batters may struggle a tad.
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