Match Details
- Venue: Kingsmead, Durban
- Date: 14th February 2020
- Time: 9:30 PM IST
- League: England’s tour of South Africa
South Africa Preview
The Proteas registered a 1-run win in the 1st T20i of the 3-match series at Buffalo Park. Batting first, the hosts put on a competitive total of 177 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. Opening duo of Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma scored a 48-runs partnership while Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen added another 63 runs for the 2nd wicket.
The middle-order fumbled in South Africa’s innings as David Miller and JJ Smuts were out for 16 and 20 runs. From 170-4 in the 19th over, the hosts finished with 177-8 in 20 overs. While there’s much room for improvement in the middle and lower order, South Africa can take some positives from the bowling performance. Lungi Ngidi bowled the final over where England needed 7 runs with 4 wickets in hand.
While the Proteas picked 3 English wickets in the final over conceding just 5 runs, Ngidi was top bowler with figures of 3 for 33. Andile Phehlukwayo and Beuran Hendricks also bagged 2 wickets each. Going into the 2nd match, the hosts will back their bowling attack to give them an edge over the visitors. However, the batting currently rests on a the top 3, a comeback from David Miller in the middle-order can have a huge impact.
England Preview
England lost the plot after a good start from the top-order in their chase of 178 runs. Jason Roy and Eoin Morgan scored half centuries striking at a rate of 184 and 152 respectively. The most crucial batsmen in the middle-order Joe Denly, Ben Stokes, and Moeen Ali were all dismissed for single digit scores.
Chasing 7 runs in the 20th Over with 4 wickets in hand shouldn’t seem a big ask for a team like England. However, retrospectively, Eoin Morgan’s dismissal in the 19th Over seems like the turning point for England. While all the bowlers were successful in bagging a wicket, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid were economical as well. Mark Wood and Tom Curran conceded at over 10 r.p.o, and will be expected to turn things around in the next match.
England’s middle-order collapsed in the 1st T20i leading to their loss. However, the hitting ability of Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, and Joe Denly is well known. England also struggled with getting the batting order right. Jos Buttler opened alongside Jason Roy while Bairstow batted at number 3. Buttler would fit right at number 5, followed by Ben Stokes at number 6 depending on the match situation.
Match Prediction
England to win the match
England has a strong overall side with effective all-rounders and in-form spinners. The batting line-up goes deep and it will give England an advantage over the home team that relies on it’s top 4. While the bowling attack from both sides has delivered well in the opening match, both teams will be backing their bowlers to gain an edge.
Fantasy Team Tips
- Quinton de Kock and Jonny Bairstow continue to be the favourites choices for wicket-keepers in the fantasy teams. While Bairstow was out for just 23 runs at number 3, he could bounce back in the next game for his team.
- Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen are in great touch in the top 3 and will add value to the fantasy team. For England, skipper Eoin Morgan and opening batsman Jason Roy are high impact batsmen.
- Around 88% fantasy teams have selected Jason Roy while 80% have drafted England captain in their fantasy team.
- Ben Stokes didn’t play a big inning for England and wasn’t really impressive with the ball either. The choice remains between Stokes and Moeen Ali for all-rounder from England while Andile Phehlukwayo was top all-rounder in the last match with 76 points in the fantasy team.
Fantasy Team Prediction
- Wicket-Keeper – Quinton de Kock, Jonny Bairstow
- Batsmen – Eoin Morgan, Jason Roy, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen
- All-rounders – Moeen Ali, Andile Phehlukwayo
- Bowlers – Adil Rashid, Chris Jordan, Lungi Ngidi
- Captain – Eoin Morgan
- Vice-Captain – Rassie van der Dussen