More rain predicted as Proteas head to Manchester
England v South Africa | 2nd T20I | Friday, 12th September | Old Trafford, Manchester | 7:30pm
As has been their habit in recent series, South Africa won Wednesday’s opening game in convincing fashion, albeit in less-than-ideal circumstances. The Proteas won by 14 runs in a game that was significantly reduced by rain.
If South Africa win in Manchester, they will claim the series.
In the series opener in Cardiff Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis, Donovan Ferreira and Tristan Stubbs all made their runs at strike rates of 200 or better.
South Africa have won each of their last four T20I against England.
England are currently the third ranked T20I team in the world while South Africa is fifth.
England’s Phil Salt and Jos Buttler are the third and fourth ranked T20I batsmen on the ICC rankings. At 13th place on the list, Dewald Brevis is the Proteas top ranked player.
Keshav Maharaj is unlikely to feature for the Proteas in Manchester after he tweaked his groin warming up for the Cardiff game. He is set to join Lungi Ngidi on the sidelines for the rest of the series after the big quick was also forced out with a hamstring strain.
Veteran England spinner Adil Rashid is the second ranked T20I bowler according to the ICC. He returned figures of one for 24 from his two overs in the series opener.
Dewald Brevis is averaging a six every 5.5 balls since arriving in England. He has hit eight maximums off just 44 balls faced.
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
South Africa have played one previous T20I at Old Trafford. That game, back in 2012, ended with no result.
England have won 50 percent of the 12 games they have played at Old Trafford. They have six wins, three losses and three games which ended with no result.
Of the 14 T20I played at Old Trafford only four have been won by the side batting first.
The average first innings score at the ground is 152.
The highest score recorded at the venue was England’s 199 for five made against Pakistan in 2020 – it was also the highest score successfully chased.
The lowest score posted was New Zealand’s disappointing 103 all out, in just 13.5 overs.
Weather:
Wednesday night’s series opener was badly affected by rain, and it looks highly likely that Friday’s encounter in Manchester will go the same way. Rain is predicted every day this week in Lancashire and while there will definitely be breaks between the showers where play should be possible, things like wet outfield, rain delays and DWL calculations are all likely to feature at Old Trafford.
Form (most recent game first):
England: L, W, W, W, L
South Africa: W, L, W, L, L
Key player:
England, Jos Buttler: The opening T20I was something of a farce given England’s innings was only five overs. Despite its brevity, Buttler shone. Unencumbered by captaincy, Buttler is playing with freedom, bringing a blend of power hitting, classical shot making and outrageous innovation to the middle. He hit 25 from 11 balls in Cardiff. Ranked fourth on the ICC T20I batting list, Buttler averages 35.81 in the format at a strike rate of 147.40.
South Africa, Aidan Markram: It’s been a good week for Markram – he fetched a record high price at the SA20 auction before leading South Africa to a win in the first T20I. Opening the batting with Ryan Rickelton in a badly rain affected game, Markram found the middle of his bat from the very first ball as he hit a brisk 28 from 14 balls. He is in excellent form in the UK, having also posted scores of 86 and 49 in the preceding ODI series.
Verdict: South Africa
This is a tough one to call and a lot will depend on the toss. There is a distinct advantage to batting second at Old Trafford and that advantage is only amplified further by the prospect of rain. If the weather allows this will be close but expect South Africa to edge it – their bowling attack, even without Maharaj, is looking sharp, with Marco Jansen particularly impressive on his return to the side.
