After seeing the batting carnage from Bairstow on Friday, England now lock horns with South Africa to seal the series in the second T20I at Paarl.
Match Timings: Nov 29, 6 PM (IST)
Team Preview
South Africa’s home summer started with a 5-wicket loss despite taking three early wickets while defending 179. Faf’s contribution was a big boost to South Africa, who scored 58 to extend his top run from the Indian T20 League. It was Bairstow who spoiled all the hard work done by South African pacers in the powerplay. In middle-overs, Shamsi went for 27, and Rabada failed to take a single wicket. Requiring 61 off the last 6 overs, Proteas needed the support in death-overs, and the Three Lions draw first blood in the series.
If they lose in Paarl, it will be the third consecutive T20I series loss for South Africa at home as they previously lost to England and Australia this year. Few South African players were not part of the Indian T20 League, and lack of domestic cricket during the pandemic hurt its preparation. In middle-overs, Proteas needed a breakthrough, and they failed to achieve this. Even South Africa offered much acceleration to England after winning the powerplay.
Meanwhile, enough cricket in pandemic helped England cross the line, and after winning the important toss, they complete the chase of 180 convincingly. England are moving towards a second T20I series win in South Africa, and with this win, they can also fancy its chances in the ICC Rankings. The majority of the English players were part of the Indian T20 League, and they had played Ireland and Pakistan in its home summer. Bairstow batted in the middle-overs, and it didn’t affect his natural game. England bounced back after losing its top-order in the powerplay. Jason Roy’s numbers can give Morgan a big recall, and if Roy delivers the same figures at the top, he would be dropped from the India series.
Tom Curran conceded 55 runs in his spell, and Morgan missed the 6th bowling option in middle-overs. England would avoid any change in its winning combination, but they can look back at Moeen Ali or Stokes to fulfill that spot if he is ready to bowl. It’s a similar story like India as both Stokes and Pandya are not bowling much and seeing them as a proper batsman, making the captain’s task difficult. England’s squad is balanced, and South Africa will need some fire from Rabada to level the series on Sunday.
Pitch Report
Boland Park is slightly a bouncy track, and it offers good assistance to the pacers. Spinners can take advantage in the middle-over as the match will be played in the day-time. The dew will also not be there, so we could expect a tricky chase on Sunday.
Possible XI
South Africa
Quinton de Kock (C/WK), Rassie van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, George Linde
England
Jos Buttler (WK), Jason Roy, Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan (C), Ben Stokes, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood/Tom Curran
Key Players
Quinton de Kock
Indian T20 League 2020 – M: 16, Runs: 503, Avg: 35.92
Kagiso Rabada
Indian T20 League 2020 – M: 17, Wickets: 30, Avg: 18.26
England
Eoin Morgan
Indian T20 League 2020 – M: 14, Runs: 418, Avg: 35.92
Dawid Malan
Home summer 2020 – M: 6, Runs: 213, Avg: 42.6
