England head into the second T20I at Old Trafford under pressure after a rain-hit opener saw them fall 14 runs short against South Africa on DLS. Jos Buttler’s quickfire knock gave the hosts a chance, but early wickets left them chasing the game as the Proteas took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Both sides now turn their focus to Manchester, where England will be desperate to level the contest while South Africa look to seal the series. Here’s a look at the prediction, expected lineups, betting tips, best odds and live scorecard for the clash.
Head-to-head record: England vs South Africa in T20Is
England and South Africa have faced each other 27 times in T20 internationals. The contest has been closely fought, with South Africa holding an edge with 14 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: 27
- England wins: 12
- South Africa wins: 14
- Tied/No result: 1
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Top players to watch: Batters & Bowlers
Batters to watch
Jos Buttler (ENG): England’s skipper and destructive opener, fresh from a quickfire 25 in Cardiff, remains the biggest threat with his ability to clear boundaries from ball one.
Aiden Markram (SA): South Africa’s captain set the tone in the first match with 28 off 14 balls, and his calm yet powerful stroke play makes him the anchor in their batting lineup.
Bowlers to watch
Sam Curran (ENG): The left-arm all-rounder struck immediately on his return, dismissing Dewald Brevis, and his knack for breakthroughs in key moments makes him vital with the ball.
Marco Jansen (SA): The tall left-arm seamer picked up two wickets in Cardiff, troubling England’s top order, and his bounce and variations will be crucial again at Old Trafford.
ENG vs. SA betting odds & predictions: Who has the edge?
Betfair has priced England as the 4/6 favourites, while South Africa are 13/10 to win the second T20I. The odds reflect the home side’s stronger batting depth and familiarity with Old Trafford conditions, even after their slip-up in Cardiff.
South Africa, however, proved in the opener that their aggressive middle order can shift momentum quickly. Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis, and Donovan Ferreira all looked threatening, and if they fire again, the tourists have every chance of upsetting the hosts.
Odds* | |
England | 4/6 |
South Africa | 13/10 |
*odds are correct at the time of publish
TSN’s Top 3 Predictions:
- Jos Buttler to top-score for England: The skipper looked dangerous in Cardiff, smashing 25 off just 11 balls. On a true Old Trafford pitch, he’s well placed to anchor the chase or lead an explosive start.
- Marco Jansen to take 2+ wickets: Jansen’s left-arm angle and bounce caused trouble in the first game. If he gets movement under lights in Manchester, he could again dent England’s top order.
- Match to be decided in the final over: Both teams bat deep and play aggressive cricket. Given the short boundaries at Old Trafford and the balance of power between England’s hitters and South Africa’s finishers the match will be decided in final over.
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 fell short in the opening T20I despite a quickfire knock from Jos Buttler. The return of Sam Curran has strengthened their balance after a tough ODI series, while Ben Duckett continues to sit out. The batting core remains intact, with Buttler, Phil Salt and Harry Brook expected to lead the charge.
Jofra Archer heads the pace attack, supported by Luke Wood and Chris Jordan, while Adil Rashid provides the main spin threat. There are no fresh injury concerns, so England are likely to stick with a similar XI from the first game.
England (predicted playing XI): Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood, Luke Wood
South Africa Team News
South Africa are missing two experienced names - Lungi Ngidi is sidelined with a hamstring strain and Keshav Maharaj is out with a groin injury. To fill the void, Nandre Burger has joined the squad, offering another left-arm pace option.
Aiden Markram continues to lead a batting lineup full of firepower, with Dewald Brevis, David Miller and Donovan Ferreira all capable of explosive innings. The bowling attack remains dangerous, with Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee spearheading the pace unit.
South Africa (predicted playing XI): Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tabraiz Shamsi