England vs South Africa. T20 series – Copybet
England lost their one-day series with South Africa 2-1 but an emphatic consolation victory in the third ODI in Southampton should have them full of confidence ahead of the T20 series, which gets underway at Sophia Gardens on Wednesday.
With the one-day series gone following defeat at Headingley and Lord’s, England turned on the style at the Rose Bowl as they thrashed the Proteas by a record 342 runs in Sunday’s closing clash.
Jofra Archer ripped through the South African top order, finishing on figures of 4-18, while there were centuries for both Joe Root and Jacob Bethell.
That should have renewed belief for the hosts ahead of their three-match T20 series and the in-form Sam Curran has been included to the squad, with Ben Duckett given a break after a busy summer in all formats.
Aggressive opener Phil Salt, spinner Liam Dawson and paceman Luke Wood are others to have been added, while South Africa have recalled David Miller, Keshav Maharaj and the big-hitting Donovan Ferreira.
All-rounder Marco Jansen and fast bowler Lizaad Williams also return for the Proteas after recent injury setbacks in what promises to be another thrilling encounter.
England vs South Africa
South Africa have won four of their last five T20 internationals against England and, while that crushing in the final ODI makes for poor reading as they were skittled out for 72 in pursuit of 414, they still claimed the series.
It’s unlikely that they can bat that badly again and such is the firepower they possess in captain Aiden Markram, Miller, Ryan Rickleton, Dewald Brevis, Jansen and Ferreira, they may have been underestimated.
England lost four of their five T20 Internationals against India between January and February and South Africa would be a difficult side to catch if they bat first and get their tails up.
In truth, there’s not much between the sides with bat or ball and it may be that the tourists are the more settled of the pair.
England vs South Africa
Brevis showed his capabilities in South Africa’s five-run win in the second ODI international against England at Lord's last Thursday, scoring 42 runs from 20 balls, and he is even more devastating in this shorter format.
The 22-year-old plays with real confidence and is a powerful hitter, with that 42-run contribution featuring three fours, three maximums and only five dot balls.
South Africa played Australia in a T20 series in August and Brevis played a starring role with the bat, finishing on 125 not out from 56 balls with eight sixes in the second of those three contests, before backing that up with a contribution of 53 in the deciding contest.