England and South Africa face off in the first T20I of a three-match series at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Wednesday. The Proteas arrive with confidence after a 2-1 ODI series win and have strengthened their squad with the recalls of David Miller, Keshav Maharaj, and Donovan Ferreira.
England, meanwhile, welcome back Sam Curran, who replaces the rested Ben Duckett. Curran’s blistering T20 Blast form, with 365 runs and 21 wickets in 15 games, makes him a player to watch as both sides look to start the series on a winning note.
Head-to-head record: England vs South Africa in T20Is
England and South Africa have faced each other 26 times in T20 internationals. The contest has been closely fought, with South Africa holding a narrow edge with 13 wins compared to England’s 12. One match ended in a tie, highlighting how evenly matched these two sides have been over the years.
- Total matches: 26
- England wins: 12
- South Africa wins: 13
- Tied/No result: 1
Top players to watch: Batters & Bowlers
Batters to watch
Jos Buttler (ENG): England’s skipper and destructive opener, fresh from two half-centuries in the ODI series, remains a game-changer in T20Is with his aggressive stroke play.
Aiden Markram (SA): South Africa’s captain and in-form batter, leading run-scorer in the ODIs, combines responsibility with flair to anchor and accelerate when needed.
Bowlers to watch
Adil Rashid (ENG): The experienced leg-spinner and world No. 2 T20I bowler, who topped the ODI wicket charts with eight scalps, brings variety and control in the middle overs.
Kagiso Rabada (SA): The pace spearhead returns to the T20I setup, having impressed against Australia, and will be crucial in exploiting conditions with the new ball.
ENG vs. SA betting odds & predictions: Who has the edge?
England start as favourites at 1.61 by Dafabet, with home advantage and a strong batting lineup led by Jos Buttler. South Africa, however, are not far behind at 2.31, reflecting their recent ODI series win and the return of key players like Kagiso Rabada and David Miller.
The odds suggest a competitive contest, but bookmakers give England the edge to take the opening T20I in Cardiff.
Odds* (click here to bet) | |
England | 1.61 |
South Africa | 2.31 |
*odds are correct at the time of publish
TSN’s Top 3 Predictions:
- Jos Buttler to lead with the bat
- Adil Rashid to trouble the Proteas
- Aiden Markram to anchor South Africa’s innings
Explore live odds, predictions, and betting guides in the TSN betting section.
England vs South Africa: Expected playing XIs and team news
England Team News
England enter the T20I series with a strong mix of experience and youthful firepower. Jos Buttler continues in fine form after back-to-back half-centuries in the ODIs, while Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith provide stability at the top. Captain Harry Brook anchors the middle order with support from Will Jacks and Tom Banton, both capable of injecting quick runs.
Jacob Bethell’s all-round ability adds balance after his century in the final ODI. In the bowling unit, Brydon Carse and Luke Wood bring pace and bounce, with Liam Dawson’s accuracy complementing Adil Rashid, who remains the team’s premier wicket-taking threat.
England (predicted playing XI): Jamie Smith, Phil Salt, Jos Buttler(w), Harry Brook(c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer
South Africa Team News
South Africa’s hopes rest heavily on captain Aiden Markram, their most reliable batter, though his recent T20I form against England was modest. The likes of Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, and Lhuan-dre Pretorius bring youthful energy but lack consistency at the international level.
In the bowling department, Kagiso Rabada shoulders the bulk of responsibility as the strike option. Lungi Ngidi has struggled with form and economy, while Corbin Bosch and Senuran Muthusamy add depth without being proven match-winners. Youngster Kwena Maphaka remains raw and expensive but offers promise for the future.
South Africa (predicted playing XI): Aiden Markram(c), Ryan Rickelton(w), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Corbin Bosch, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi
ENG vs. SA live scorecard: 1st T20I
To follow the action between England vs South Africa live, you can make use of the live scorecard feature on Parimatch's website.
Navigate to the game of your choice and click the scorecard icon to follow along, and bet live with the action with a trusted site.
Where to watch ENG vs. SA 1st T20I in India
- Venue: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
- Date & Time (IST): Wednesday, September 10, 11:00 p.m
- Live Telecast & Streaming Details: Sony LIV app & website, Fancode
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