ENG 54/5 in 5.0 Overs - Live South Africa Vs England 1st T20I T20 2025

SCORECARD COMMENTARY

SA WON

T20

SA beat ENG by 14 runs (DLS method)

Man of the Match - Donovan Ferreira

97-5

7.5/7.5 Ovrs

54-5

5.0/5 Ovrs

ENG

South Africa in England, 3 T20I Series, 2025 |1st T20I |9/10/2025
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

Commentary

Right then, after waiting for more than 3 hours, we finally got a game, which was then shortened further, but there was no shortage of entertainment. South Africa will now look to seal the series, while England will be desperate to level it in the next one. For the 2nd T20I, we will travel to Old Trafford in Manchester, and hopefully, the weather will be better there. The first ball will be bowled at 5.30 pm GMT, but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!
Aiden Markram, the victorious skipper of South Africa, says that he is happy that they put a good score on the board. Continues that the bowlers were under pressure, but they executed their plans as well. He observed that the new ball was swinging a lot, and that's the time he understood that two or three cameos would set the tone for his team. Says that Keshav Maharaj missed the game as he had some groin injury in the warm-up up but he will be back soon. Ends up by praising Marco Jansen to see him in form after a long break.
Harry Brook, the captain of England, says that they can't read too much into this game. Adds that a lot was happening out in the middle, and they just failed to execute the plans. Mentions that they need to perform when the opportunity arises. Prasises Luke Wood and says that he always picks up wickets in the first over, and he would love to know that ratio. On playing two spinners, he says they backed their bowlers to restrict South Africa to a chasable total. Ends by saying that the big guns above him make the decisions whether to play or not in these tough conditions.
Donovan Ferreira is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his fiery cameo. He says that the result of the match could have gone either way, but he is happy that his team put up a good score and the bowlers stepped up as well. Also says that he is feeling very happy performing for his country. Adds that he wasn't really targeting the shorter boundary, he was just watching the deliveries and going with the shots. Ends up saying that it was him expressing himself, as the coach has given him the freedom, which also helps him to perform under pressure.
Presentation Time...
Earlier in the game, South Africa posted 97/5 before rain interrupted play, leaving England a revised target of 69 off 30 balls. Aiden Markram and Dewald Brevis anchored the innings, while Donovan Ferreira’s late cameo proved decisive. Luke Wood led the hosts’ attack with two wickets, with others chipping in. In the chase, South Africa’s pacers kept the pressure on, striking regularly - Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch grabbed two apiece, and Kagiso Rabada got one, which was enough to seal the deal.
England’s chase faltered early, with Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell falling cheaply. Jos Buttler tried to steady things from one end and kept pace with the required rate, but lacked support, and eventually succumbed to the mounting pressure himself. Sam Curran chipped in with a few runs late on, but by then the game had already slipped away.
South Africa cruised to a comfortable victory, taking a 1-0 lead just as they did in the ODIs. England, however, won’t be too disheartened, given this was a heavily shortened game that forced them to go after every ball. At least the fans were treated to some exciting action, rather than a damp and uneventful washout.
4.6
0
Corbin Bosch to Will Jacks, That's it! England fails to chase the mammoth score after multiple rain stoppages! Corbin Bosch fires this one right in the blockhole, on off. Will Jacks squeezes it toward point for a single. South Africa beats England and wins the clash by 14 runs!
4.5
1
Corbin Bosch to Sam Curran, Low full toss, on off. Sam Curran punches it toward long on for another single.
4.4
1
Corbin Bosch to Will Jacks, Full and just outisde off. Will Jacks jams it toward long on for a single. That should be the game for South Africa barring any extras.
4.3
3
Corbin Bosch to Sam Curran, DROPPED! That should have been taken! Corbin Bosch bowls fuller, outside off. Sam Curran goes for a big blow across the stump but gets the toe end of his bat. The ball loops high up, just behind the cover-point fielder. Lizaad Williams gets the whole time to judge the skier, but fails and loses his balance to spill the catch away. There is a bit of a mix-up between the sticks, and it's Will Jacks returning to the striker's end for the third when Williams has a shy toward the danger end, but Ryan Rickelton fails to pick up the throw, as it hits the wrist of the keeper and deflects toward cover. Almost buzzers, but Jacks has run a long way past the stumps, and it will be three runs.
4.2
6
Corbin Bosch to Sam Curran, SIX! Up, up and away! Pitches it up, on off. Sam Curran launches it uppishly toward downtown for a biggie. 20 needed in 4 now. Still on for England!
Sam Curran walks out to bat now. Can he be the hero for England?
4.1
W
Corbin Bosch to Tom Banton, OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust! This is a low full toss, around the pads of the batter. Tom Banton looks to flick it but gets the leading edge. The ball skies up toward the right of the mid off fielder, and the skipper, Aiden Markram judges it well and scoops the catch into his palms. 26 needed in 5 now!
END OF OVER 4 | 12 Runs & 2 Wkt | ENG 43/4

England needs 26 runs in the last over. A tough ask, but not impossible. They need someone to step up and be a hero. Also, Will Jacks comes out to the middle.
3.6
W
Marco Jansen to Jos Buttler, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Make it two for Marco Jansen! This could be the game for South Africa as they get rid of Buttler. Jansen delivers it fuller, outside off and shapes it away. Jos Buttler extends his arms to slap it over mid-wicket but fails to get the middle. The ball kisses the bottom edge of the bat and zips toward the right of the keeper. Ryan Rickelton does well to grab it low to his right. Buttler flings his bat in the air in disappointment, and walks back for a fine 25 off 11.
3.6
1wd
Marco Jansen to Jos Buttler, WIDE! Bonus run for England! Short, around off. Jos Buttler attempts a hook but fails to connect.
3.5
3
Marco Jansen to Tom Banton, Back of a length, outside off, shaping it away from the batter. Tom Banton goes deep into the crease and steers it toward deep point. Buttler pushes for the third and makes it comfortably in the end.
3.4
1
Marco Jansen to Jos Buttler, Fullish, just outside off. Jos Buttler stabs it toward long on for a single.
3.3
0
Marco Jansen to Jos Buttler, Back of a length, on middle. Jos Buttler mistimes his pull toward sqaure leg and gets no run.
3.2
6
Marco Jansen to Jos Buttler, SIX! BOOMBASTIC! England will need more of these sixes! Short of a length, outside off. Jos Buttler hangs back and pulls it to clear the deep mid-wicket for six more runs.
3.1
1
Marco Jansen to Tom Banton, back of a length, on stumps. Tom Banton tries to pull but miscues the shot and the ball bounces toward the keeper. Jos Buttler calls for the single and gets it done just in time.
END OF OVER 3 | 10 Runs & 1 Wkt | ENG 31/3