South Africa vs England: Proteas eventually win rain-hit first T20I

In the first T20 International, which finally began over three hours after it was scheduled to begin, South Africa beat England by 14 runs on the DLS method, in Cardiff, on Wednesday evening.

With the match originally set to begin at 6.30pm SA time, it only started at 9.50pm, because of rain, with the Proteas allotted nine overs. That was further reduced to 7.5 overs as the Proteas made a good go of it, as they managed 97/5.

Aiden Markram top-scored opening the innings with 28 from 14, while Dewald Brevis scored an attacking 23 from 10 before man-of-the-match Donovan Ferreira struck 25 not out from 11.

More rain fell and England’s target was adjusted to 69 from five overs.

England Falls Short in Rain-Shortened Match Against South Africa

With just three bowlers needed in the shortened innings, Marco Jansen (2/18) and Corbin Bosch (2/20) took two wickets each, with Kagiso Rabada returning figures of 1/11 in his single over.

Jos Buttler starred with the bat with 25 from 11 before he was out to Jansen, as England ended on 54/5 and well short of their adjusted target.

After the match, Ferreira said: “As a team, you have to do what the captain does, and sometimes the toss doesn’t really go your way. We tried to get to a respectable score, as we didn’t know how the wicket was going to play.

“It was just about backing ourselves, as anything can happen in a reduced game.”

The sides meet again on Friday in Manchester for the second clash of the three-match series. First ball is scheduled for 7.30pm, if the rain stays away.

@Michael_Sherman

IOL Sport