Following a humiliating defeat in the ODI series, England aimed for a stronger showing in the T20I series. However, South Africa emerged victorious in the first match by 14 runs based on the Duckworth-Lewis method. The match was delayed by four hours due to rain, resulting in a truncated contest of just 12.5 overs. During South Africa’s innings, four batsmen showcased aggressive batting, achieving strike rates exceeding 200. South Africa scored 97 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the 7.5 overs played. Aiden Markram top-scored with 28 runs off 14 balls, featuring 2 fours and 2 sixes. Devon Ferreira smashed an unbeaten 25 off 11 balls, highlighted by 3 sixes. Dewald Brevis hit 23 runs from 10 deliveries, including three sixes. Tristan Stubbs contributed 13 runs from six balls, featuring one four and one six. Luke Wood claimed two wickets for England. Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, and Sam Curran each secured a wicket. After the rain interruption, England was set a revised target of 68 runs in 5 overs. They could only manage 54 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. Jos Buttler scored 25 runs off 11 balls, including a four and three sixes. Sam Curran remained not out with 10 runs. Phil Salt was out for a duck and captain Harry Brook failed to score. South Africa’s Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch took two wickets each. Kagiso Rabada took one wicket. This was the second time South Africa had defeated England in Cardiff in a T20I match, out of 11. 14 sixes were hit in total during the match.
