England made heavy weather of clinching the T20I series against the Proteas in Boland but got there in the end.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
That result means that the Proteas are playing for pride and perhaps a bit of momentum after a stuttering start to their summer.
South Africa vs England | Tuesday 1 December 2020 | Newlands, Cape Town | 18:00
To Win Match
South Africa 31/20
Tie 25/1
England 52/100
South Africa
The batting performance of the Proteas must again come under the spotlight after they posted a middling 146/6 in Paarl. Reeza Hendricks being guilty of using prime overs to play himself in for a long innings that didn’t materialize and the team generally struggling to keep a partnership going.
They will take heart from the way the bowlers made the game competitive though with Tabraiz Shamsi undoing the potent England top order. Had the score been 15-20 runs more they might have been able to squeeze the tourists a little more.
The first drop position seems to be where the Proteas are failing as they are consistently too conservative in their approach and use accumulators like Rassie van der Dussen or Hendricks instead of one of the out-and-out hitters.
Anrich Nortje performed well after coming in for Beauran Hendricks whose wayward death bowling cost the Proteas the series opener.
The Proteas could choose to give Glenton Stuurman his debut in this dead rubber.
England
England got there in the end but made things much harder than they needed to be as they struggled against both pace and spin.
Dawid Malan’s steady hand was the difference between the sides and showed the value he brings to the team when the surface isn’t the usual T20 belter.
Adil Rashid was brilliant and gave a masterclass in ‘middle-over’ bowling that ensured that the hosts couldn’t get going.
England are getting closer to nailing down their ideal 15 for the T20 World Cup and could give some other players a look in as the series returns to Newlands.
The England team have a real confidence and swagger about them and a result they are a tough team to put away.
Verdict: England 52/100
The tourists will complete a whitewash if they play to their potential.
Written by James Richardson
