South Africa set a 164-run target against England in the fifth Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup 2024 being played at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, St. Lucia on Friday.
Quinton de Kock gave a flying start to South Africa in the first half of the innings after England made a comeback in the second half. The wicketkeeper-batter slammed a 22-ball fifty, the joint-fastest of the ongoing competition.
Meanwhile, Reeza Hendricks (19 off 25 balls) couldn’t build on his slow start. He was the first batter to be dismissed by leg-spinner Adil Rashid.
De Kock departed due to England skipper Jos Buttler’s acrobatic catch. He made a 38-ball 65 with the help of eight boundaries.
The defending champions returned to the game with Buttler once again contributing but this time with a run out at the non-striker’s end to remove Heinrich Klassen (9 off 13 balls).
Meanwhile, Rashid removed skipper Aiden Markram (1 off 2 balls). David Miller took the charge in the later part, scoring a crucial 28-ball 43.
The Proteas managed 163/6 in their 20 overs. Pacer Jofra Archer was the top bowler for England, bagging figures of 3/40.
Earlier, England won the toss and elected to bowl first. Both the teams have won their first game of this round. South Africa thump the USA while England defeated the West Indies.
Buttler said they will look to chase once again on the new surface. “Fresh wicket, looks a good pitch, we fancy another chase. Potentially a bit of moisture in the pitch and I’m sure the ball will swing on the breeze.”
Meanwhile, Aiden Markram said he would have bowled too. “We will try put a good score on the board and squeeze them after that.
England are unchanged while the Proteas have included Ottneil Baartman in place of Tabraiz Shamsi.
Line-ups
England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (c, wk), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Reece Topley
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markam (c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Ottneil Baartman, Anrich Nortje
