Can South Africa bounce back in the second T20 International after their humiliating midweek defeat?
England dominated from start to finish in the first T20 International at the Rose Bowl as they crushed South Africa by nine-wickets.
The Proteas will need to do some soul-searching in the two days before the next match at County Ground in Taunton lest they want to surrender yet another series to their English counterparts.
England vs South Africa | Friday 23 June 2017 | The County Ground, Taunton | 18:00
To Win Match
England 67/100 | Tie 35/1 | South Africa 5/4
England
The English made very short work of a rather sorry South African side in the first T20 International at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday evening. Despite 65* from AB de Villiers and 64* from Farhaan Behardien, the visitors could only muster 142-3 from their 20 overs.
While the Proteas did themselves very few favours with the bat, the English bowling was sublime. Early breakthroughs for David Willey and Chris Wood saw had the visitors reeling at 32-3 before the spin duo of, Liam Dawson and Mason Crane took control of proceedings in the middle overs, keeping scoring down as de Villiers and Behardien battled to find the boundary.
It’ll be interesting to see exactly what type of side England put out for the next T20 International. They’ve named a squad of 16, all of whom will get at least one game during this series. I – like most South Africans – would love to get a look at Dawid Malan.
The South African schooled left-hander forms part of some cracking YouTube compilations and looks to be an absolute bag of tricks. He clears the boundary with ease and is strong both straight and square of the wicket. His coming into the side will definitely give the beleaguered South African bowlers something to think about.
English fans will also be thrilled to see Jason Roy come into a bit of form. Jonny Bairstow also turned it on, stepping back into the shortest format of the game following after almost a year to score an unbeaten 60 from just 42 balls. It’s going to take an almighty effort from the Proteas.
South Africa
Where to next for the South Africans after such a flat performance in Southampton? Well for one, they need to better at the top of the order. JJ Smuts and Reeza Hendricks have to show a bit more if they are to secure their places in the side longer term.
Both have been excellent throughout the last few domestic seasons but have failed to step up on the international stage, as much was evident as both were sent back to the pavilion inside of the first seven balls of the contest.
Those dismissals sparked a necessitated period of rebuilding that never got out of first gear as both AB de Villiers and Farhaan Behardien who – despite scoring 65* and 64* respectively – never got South Africa anywhere near a competitive total.
The visitors, I believe, need to be more solid (as much goes without saying) and much more aggressive at the top of the order. You simply can’t allow yourself to get bogged down in a T20 match against one of the most explosive top orders on the planet.
I’m not really sure what can change, really. The batting line-up can’t really change much with the personnel in the squad. In terms of the bowling, Wayne Parnell and Dwaine Pretorius could make way for Chris Morris and Dane Paterson.
Verdict: England 67/100
The English were on a different level to the Proteas last time out and I see no reason to bet against yet another English win. Back the hosts come good and wrap up the series at 67/100.
Value Bet: England to make the highest six over score 8/10
This one goes without saying. Alex Hales and Jason Roy – if allowed to hang around – will outscore Smuts and Hendricks. Get on the 8/10 with confidence here.
