England vs South Africa T20 Series Tips
After the tourists took the ODI series 2-1, South Africa now prepare to do battle with England in a three-match T20I series.
The hosts should go into the opener with some confidence following a record victory by 342 runs in the final 50 over match-up.
The two teams now meet in the shortest format of the game, with the three T20 internationals taking place in Cardiff, Manchester and Nottingham.
Tip 1 – England to win the series 2-1 @ 6/5
It’s fair to say that England’s white-ball form has dipped since they lifted the T20 World Cup trophy in Australia back in 2022.
They just scraped through the group stages of the 2024 tournament thanks to net run-rate, with Test coach Brendon McCullum handed the task of taking charge of the limited-overs squad last year.
Harry Brook was then appointed as white-ball captain, as the squad looked to get back on track ahead of the next T20 World Cup in 2026.
England still have a formidable recent record on home soil, with the hosts winning eight of their last 11 home T20I matches.
South Africa have never lifted the T20 World Cup, but did finish as runners up a year ago and their one-day displays this month suggest the team is growing in belief.
The last time these two teams met was in that 2024 T20 World Cup, when the Proteas came out on top in the Caribbean with a seven-run victory at Gros Islet.
You have to go back to 2022 for the last T20 series in the UK between the sides, when South Africa once again came out on top, with a 2-1 series victory.
Despite their dip in form, England are still above their opponents in the ICC T20 rankings with McCullum’s men third - 14 ranking points behind fourth-placed South Africa.
It’s also worth noting that England have won three of the last four T20 internationals at Old Trafford, where the second match takes place on Friday.
Tip 2 – First T20 International - Top South Africa Wicket-Taker - Keshav Maharaj @ 4/1
Cardiff is the venue for the first match of the series and South Africa enjoyed a successful day there last time they played at Sophia Gardens.
On that occasion, the tourists ran out comfortable 58-run victors after smashing 207 in their innings, before bowling England out for just 149.
There was plenty of success for a wrist spinner that day, with Tabraiz Shamsi taking 3-27, including the scalps of Jason Roy and Moeen Ali.
The world T20 rankings don’t have any South African bowlers in the top 20, but their bowling line-up does have plenty of threats, including spinner Keshav Maharaj.
The 35-year-old left-armer has 38 wickets in 39 T20 internationals, with an economy rate of 7.33, while he has five wickets in five matches against England.
South Africa also look set to include experienced pace bowler Kagiso Rabada in their side after resting him for the ODI series.
With 76 wickets in 68 T20 internationals, Rabada could play a significant role across the series, should he stay fit.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
