HIGHLIGHTS England vs South Africa, South Africa in England 3 T20I Series 2025, 1st T20- Result, Scorecard

We are back for the second chapter to unfold! The umpires have stepped into the first and so are the players of South Africa. Phil Salt will be pairing with Jos Buttler for England. Kagiso Rabada will get the job to start with the new ball. Here we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

As the Three Lions prepare to embark on their run chase, the question lingers in the air - Can they successfully chase down the target, or will the Proteas' bowling unit rise to the challenge? The stage is set for a riveting second innings, where every run and wicket will shape the narrative of this encounter. Stay tuned as we are not far away from the first delivery of the second inning!

After the dismissal of Markram, Dewald Brevis filled the shows and had a cameo of scoring 23 runs off 10 deliveries before he got hunted down by Sam Curran. After the trials of wicket, Donovan Ferreira was looking settled and we were just an over behind to finish the first inning. That's when the inevitable occurred. The rain gods showed up once again and that was it for the first inning. Now, England needs 69 to win off 30 balls, and the Powerplay will be for 1.3 overs.

We are back with good news, the rain has stopped, and The INNINGS BREAK has been official! After an agonizing wait, the game finally kicked off with a thrilling 9 overs per side. The Proteas batters entered the field with an aggressive mindset, determined to dominate every delivery. Although they lost their first wicket in the opening over, Aiden Markram stole the spotlight, launching the ball with astonishing power across the Sophia Gardens Stadium. Luke Wood stepped up for England, who swiftly took two wickets in just three overs, ramping up the pressure on the opposition.

UPDATE - Uh oh... it is not a drizzle anymore, it is fully pouring down now! But let's hope that it's just a passing shower this time. The players and the umpires have stepped out of the field, and the covers are now on the track. It is increasingly likely that it will be the end of the first innings, and the calculators will be out to see what the revised target will be for the hosts. That is, of course, if the rain stops. Stay with us for further updates!

Game stopped due to : Rain Stoppage

Jamie Overton to Donovan Ferreira, SIX! Clears the fence! Pitched up and on middle, Donovan Ferreira moves to the leg side to create some room and dispatches it over the long off fence for a biggie.

Jamie Overton to Marco Jansen, Back of a length and on leg, Marco Jansen nudges it thorugh mid-wicket for a single.

Marco Jansen walks up to the middle as the new batter. There is a bit of a drizzle around again.

Jamie Overton to Tristan Stubbs, OUT! BOWLED'EM! The drier ball does the trick for Jamie Overton! He nails the yorker this time, on middle. Tristan Stubbs shuffles in his crease and tries to reverse scoop it but misses it completely as the ball goes off his boots to rattle the stumps. South Africa lose half their side now!

Jamie Overton to Tristan Stubbs, Sees the batter back away and tries the wide yorker, but bowls a full toss outside off. Tristan Stubbs is too far away and just throws his bat it but fails to connect.

New used ball coming in! The match officials lost the ball after the thumping shot of Tristan Stubbs. The third official came up with the ball box and now the new used ball has been introduced to the play.

Jamie Overton to Tristan Stubbs, SIX! Outrageous shot! Jamie Overton hits the length hard and on middle, takes pace off. Tristan Stubbs moves across quickly to get inside the line of it and executes the scoop to perfection over the fine leg fence for a biggie.

Sam Curran to Donovan Ferreira, Good effort in the deep! Much fuller and outside off, Donovan Ferreira drills it away hard as the ball zips through the wet outfield wide of deep point. Tom Banton runs to his left and dives to make a fantastic stop to keep it down to two. 11 runs and wicket from the over!

Sam Curran to Donovan Ferreira, Short of a length and on middle, Donovan Ferreira pulls it wide of deep square leg for a brace.

Sam Curran to Tristan Stubbs, Pitched up and on off, Tristan Stubbs lobs it towards long off for a single.

Sam Curran to Tristan Stubbs, On a length and on middle, Tristan Stubbs tucks it away with soft hands through mid-wicket and turns around for the second run. Jamie Overton comes charging in from the deep, slides, picks up and throws it to the bowler's end in one motion. Curran is standing in front of the stumps and takes a bit of time to collect and break the stumps, which gives DF the time to drag his bat in.

Sam Curran to Tristan Stubbs, FOUR! Streaky but they all count! Fuller one and around off, pace on and angles away, Tristan Stubbs looks to push it away but gets an outside edge that flies through the keeper and short third for a boundary.

Tristan Stubbs is the new man in.

Sam Curran to Dewald Brevis, OUT! TAKEN! Wow..what a return for Sam Curran in England colours! He gets the big wicket on his very first delivery of the spell. This is back of a length and around off, Sam rolls his fingers to take pace off. Dewald Brevis looks to heave it across the line but goes through his shot very early, and his bat turns in his hands upon contact. He ends up slinging it in the air towards point where Liam Dawson takes a dolly. Brevis departs for 23 off 10, and South Africa are 73/4!

Sam Curran has been introduced into the attack now.

Adil Rashid to Donovan Ferreira, SIX MORE! 20 off the over! Adil Rashid bowls a half-tracker, on middle, Donovan Ferreira picks up the length early, moves back and whacks it powerfully over the deep square leg fence for half a dozen more.

Adil Rashid to Donovan Ferreira, Much quicker, short and on middle, Donovan Ferreira mistimes his pull towards mid-wicket.

Adil Rashid to Donovan Ferreira, SIX! Donovan Ferreira joins the party now! Tossed up, full and on middle, in the slot as well. Donovan Ferreira goes down again, keeps his front out of the way and nails the slog sweep over the deep mid-wicket fence for a flat six.

Adil Rashid to Dewald Brevis, A googly, shortish and on leg, turns in, Dewald Brevis backs away and heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Adil Rashid to Dewald Brevis, SIX! BANG! His third already! Dragged down and around middle, Dewald Brevis rocks back quickly and dismisses it with ease over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Adil Rashid to Donovan Ferreira, Floated, full and on off, Donovan Ferreira goes down on a knee and slogs it on the bounce to long on for a single.

Liam Dawson to Donovan Ferreira, Much fuller, an attempted yorker, just outside off. Donovan Ferreira prods and pushes it toward long on and gets a single.

Liam Dawson to Dewald Brevis, Fires fuller, just outside the leg stump. Dewald Brevis pushes it toward right of the mid on fielder for a single.

Liam Dawson to Dewald Brevis, Fuller, wide outside off. Dewald Brevis makes room toward the leg side and makes a leave.

Liam Dawson to Dewald Brevis, SIX! Hot knife through butter! Another fuller delivery, on off and middle. Dewald Brevis eye's lit up once again watching the half volley and he launches it downtown for six more runs.

Liam Dawson to Dewald Brevis, SIX! SHOT OF AUTHORITY! Tossed up, on off. Dewald Brevis makes room and lofts it over the long on fence for half a dozen.

Liam Dawson to Donovan Ferreira, LEG BYE! Short, on middle and leg. Donovan Ferreira tries to tuck it away but misses and thumps his thigh pad. The ball rolls toward the leg side and the batter crosses.

Spin from both ends now as Liam Dawson replaces Luke Wood.

Adil Rashid to Donovan Ferreira, Short, outside off. Donovan Ferreira cuts it toward past the short cover. Harry Brook dives toward his right and makes a save. Only a single taken in the delivery!

Adil Rashid to Donovan Ferreira, Short, on middle. Donovan Ferreira pushes it back to the bowler.

Donovan Ferreira is the next man in.

Adil Rashid to Aiden Markram, OUT! IN THE AIR... TAKEN! Adil Rashid gets the big fish! Short of a length, on middle and angles it down the leg. Aiden Markram clears his front foot and tries to slog it to clear the deep mid-wicket fence but gets the upper part of his bat. The ball loops toward the mid-wicket region, and Wood makes no mistake. Markram departs for a quick 28 off 14, and England are 37/3!

Adil Rashid to Dewald Brevis, Short, on the stumps. Dewald Brevis nudges it toward mid on for a single.

Adil Rashid to Aiden Markram, Short, on middle. Aiden Markram punches it toward sweeper cover for a single.

Adil Rashid to Dewald Brevis, Fuller outside off. Dewald Brevis smashes it toward deep cover for one.

Luke Wood to Dewald Brevis, Full, on middle. Dewald Brevis eases it toward cover for a single.

The most expensive player in the SA20 auction last night, Dewald Brevis comes out to the middle now.

Luke Wood to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, OUT! TAKEN SUPERBLY! Luke Wood gets his second one right after the Powerplay! Back of a length outside off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius tries to flat bat it but gets cramped up and miscues toward mid on fielder. Harry Brook charges forward and puts in a full-length dive forward to grab a fantastic catch with the ball dying on him as well. England two down now!

Powerplay done then! The field restrictions are lifted, and South Africa are 33/1 at the end of it.

Luke Wood to Aiden Markram, Short, outisde leg. Aiden Markram gets forward and pulls it toward mid-wicket for a single.

Luke Wood to Aiden Markram, DROPPED! That one was a sitter! Fuller outside off. Aiden Markram looks to lash it over deep mid-wicket but gets the outer part of his willow as the ball goes miles in the air. Phil Salt stationed there, gets under the skier, but spills the catch as the ball bounces off his hands. A couple in between.

Luke Wood to Aiden Markram, FOUR! Not the perfect timing, but it will work for Aiden Markram! Pitches it up, around off. Aiden Markram once again lofts it around the long on region but fails to get the perfect timing. The ball just clears mid on and races to the fence for a boundary.

Luke Wood to Aiden Markram, SIX! Another one goes out of the park! Full-length delivery, on middle. Aiden Markram makes a bit room and lofts it up, over the long on fence for a biggie.

Change? No, Luke Wood will bowl out here.

Jamie Overton to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Full and outside off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius drives it toward extra cover.

Jamie Overton to Aiden Markram, TWO WIDES! Back of a length, sprays it down the leg. Jos Buttler dives and parries it further. Batter gets a single.

Jamie Overton to Aiden Markram, SIX! BOOM! Pitches it up, on off. Aiden Markram launches it high and handsomely over long off for a biggie. A spectator grabs a fine catch in the crowd.

Jamie Overton to Aiden Markram, DROPPED! It was a tough one tough! Fuller delivery, on middle, swinging it a shy it out. Aiden Markram goes for a slog but gets the leading edge. The ball shoots up and back of the mid on fielder. The fielder tries to judge the delivery but fails to get the better. He offers a dive but misses getting near the skier. A couple taken in between!

Jamie Overton to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Full toss, on middle. Lhuan-dre Pretorius inner edges the delivery toward fine leg for a single.

Jamie Overton to Aiden Markram, LEG BYE! Yorker, on leg, shapes it in. Aiden Markram tries to flick it but misses. The ball hits the boot of Markram and bounces toward square leg for a leg bye. There is a slight appeal for LBW, but turned down. Markram also looks in a bit of pain.

Jamie Overton to Aiden Markram, Oh... beauty! Jamie Overton bowls from over the wicket and pitches it just outside off to nip it away from the batter. Aiden Markram tries to play it toward cover but gets beaten on the outer edge.

Jamie Overton to share the attack.

Luke Wood to Aiden Markram, Bumper, on off. Aiden Markram soft hands it toward the off side and sprints for a single.

Luke Wood to Aiden Markram, WIDE! Back of a length but sprays it down the leg. Aiden Markram attempts a flick but fails to connect. Wided.

Luke Wood to Aiden Markram, FOUR! Glorious from Aiden Markram! Pitches it up, around off, shaping it in. Aiden Markram punches it uppishly toward the far right of the mid off fielder and the ball rolls away for a boundary. That's the first of the match.

Luke Wood to Aiden Markram, On a length, around the thigh pad of the batter. Aiden Markram misses the flick.

Luke Wood to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Short of a length, on middle. Lhuan-dre Pretorius gets on his toes and dabs it right under his eyesight.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius walks out to bat at number 3.

Luke Wood to Ryan Rickelton, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Luke Wood draws the first blood for England! Pitches it just outside off and a bit of late outswing on the delivery. Ryan Rickelton plants his front foot toward the delivery to push it away but gets a slight nick on the outside edge. The ball zips to the left of the keeper, and Jos Buttler gloves the sitter. Rickelton walks back for a golden duck, and South Africa are 1/1!

Luke Wood to Aiden Markram, Luke Wood scoots from over the wicket and bowls back of a length, just outside off. Aiden Markram rocks back and pats it toward the right of short third man for a single. Aiden Markram and South Africa are underway!

The wait is finally over! After a long, long rain delay, we are finally all set to witness some cricket here at the Sophia Gardens. We can already see England players in their respective field positions. A good number of fans have stayed back and are buzzing to see all the action. Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram are the two openers for South Africa. The late inclusion to the side, Luke Wood has the new ball and is raring to go. Let's play...

South Africa (Playing XI) - Aiden Markram (C), Ryan Rickelton (WK), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Lizaad Williams.

England (Playing XI) - Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (WK), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (C), Sam Curran, Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Luke Wood, Adil Rashid.

UPDATE - We saw Luke Wood marking his run-up before the toss. He was not included in the original England playing XI, but it looks like he will be one of the changes for this shortened game. Jofra Archer has been rested, and that makes sense, as they do not want to risk any injury to him.

TOSS - The coin lands in favour of Harry Brook and England have elected to BOWL first.

UPDATE - 7.05 pm GMT - GAME'S ON! The umpires are done with the inspection, and we have a toss time of 7.20 pm GMT. The match will start at 7.50 pm GMT and we will get 9 overs per side. Also, Powerplay will be of 2.4 overs, and a bowler can bowl a maximum of 2 overs. Our prayers got counted!

UPDATE - 6:46 pm GMT - Some positive news folks! The main cover is coming off. There are a few damp patches on the outfield, but the groundsmen are already working on it. Stay tuned!

UPDATE - 6.27 pm GMT - The umpires are conducting their inspection a bit ahead of schedule. The side covers are now being lifted, as dedicated groundsmen diligently work to address the waterlogging on the outfield. The umpires have retreated to their shelter, but don’t lose hope! If there's no more rain, the second inspection is set for 7 PM GMT. Stay with us for the latest developments!

UPDATE - 6.15 pm GMT - Scratch that! It is raining again here in Sophia Gardens. The covers are back on and we the waiting game continues...

UPDATE - Some good news! The rain has stopped now and we will have an inspection 6.30 pm GMT. However, as we said earlier, it will take a lot of time to dry the outfield. Also, the latest time for a 5-over game is 8.16 pm GMT. Stick with us for more news!

UPDATE - 5.41 pm GMT - Nothing new to offer you folks! The rain gods are not in a good mood today and puddles have already formed on the outfield. The weather report is not looking good as well. Also, the on-air commentators have said that the ground staff will require a minimum of one and a half hours to prepare the field. Let's cross our fingers and hope for the best. 

UPDATE - 5.20 pm GMT - Uh..oh! The ground staff were out for a moment trying to clear out the standing water on the covers. The umpires were also just about to inspect. However, the RAIN IS BACK AGAIN in Cardiff and we are in for a much longer wait now. Stay tuned for further updates.

UPDATE - If you are wondering why the toss has not happened yet, it is because it was absolutely pouring here in Cardiff earlier. However, things are looking much better now as the rain has stopped now, but the forecast says we can expect a few showers. THE TOSS HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY DELAYED!

JUST IN - A big blow for South Africa as Lungi Ngidi has been ruled out of this series due to a right hamstring strain. Nandre Burger has been announced as his replacement.

On the flip side, England has made an emphatic statement by overpowering the Proteas in their last ODI encounter, winning by a staggering 342 runs. This colossal victory has not only silenced the critics but also boosted morale significantly. Harry Brook is keen to kick off this T20I series on a winning note. Recently, Jacob Bethell has found his rhythm, and with Jofra Archer leading the pace attack and Adil Rashid spinning some magic on the pitch, they’re ready to put on a show. The Stadium is filled with fans waiting for the clash to set off. By the time, please stay tuned for the toss and team updates, cause this is a series you won't want to miss!

South Africa enters this series brimming with confidence, even after a loss to the Aussies in this particular format. Their greatest asset will undoubtedly be their spin attack, led by the exceptional Keshav Maharaj, who is in phenomenal form and ready to dazzle on the pitch. Skipper Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton are set to ignite the innings with a stellar start, while Tristan Stubbs will bolster a powerful middle order. The visitors are keen to seize the initiative and establish their dominance right from the beginning.

Hello and a warm welcome, cricket fans! After an entertaining ODI series victory against England, where South Africa clinched two emphatic wins, the excitement now shifts to a gripping three-match T20I showdown. We're back at the Sophia Garden Stadium, and the home side is determined to convert their spirited performances into tangible results. The fans are buzzing with hopes that the Three Lions will take their game to the next level, while the Proteas are eager to carry their winning momentum into this short cricket format.

... MATCHDAY ...

The cricketing action shifts to its shortest format towards the fag end of the English summer, as we gear up for the first match of the 3-Match T20I series between South Africa and England at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. Following a 2-1 loss to the South Africans in the ODI series, the hosts hope to bounce back and win the T20I series. After delivering South Africa their worst ODI defeat in their last contest, England will be fired up, bringing a lot of confidence and momentum to this encounter. Under the leadership of captain Harry Brook, the English T20I team appears to be a well-rounded group. With Jos Buttler, Jamie Smith, and Phil Salt at the top of their batting order, they have their batting all set up. However, Duckett would be eager to rack up some runs following a sluggish stretch. The young and talented batting force of Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, and Tom Banton make up the middle order. Their bowling attack is proficient, with quality spinners like Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson. Their bowling assault appears more menacing now that Jofra Archer has joined the team. Archer is in red-hot, deadly form with the ball. For South Africa to win this match, they must seize the chance and perform strongly in the T20IS. Initially, they would count on their top three players, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, and Lhuan-dre Pretorius, to score runs consistently. In the middle, they have the intrepid pairing of Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs, who have performed admirably in the shortest format. Their batting problems appear in the lower-middle order, and with David Miller out due to injury, the others would have to give it their all if they were to prevail. They would cross their fingers and hope their top seamer, Kagiso Rabada, would be included in the starting lineup again. Their bowling attack would appear more menacing and ferocious with Rabada and Lungi Ngidi added. One slight issue is that their spin department hasn't had the impact they would have hoped for, but their spinners would love to rectify that with the start of a new series. Given their previous performances in the shortest format, England appears to have an advantage over South Africa. In June this year, they hosted the West Indies and defeated them 3-0. However, before this series, the Proteas toured Australia and were forced to accept a 2-1 loss. Even though the home team has the numerical advantage, the visitors are self-assured and have defeated them four times in their last five matches. Therefore, this matchup between these two squads is expected to be tantalizing.