T20I Series: Cricket fans shock as England crush South Africa

STRETFORD: Proteas XI were all dismantled on Saturday as England’s all-round best performance in the game held firm, refusing to give up after setting an unbelievable 304-run target, and then defending it brilliantly through their star pacers against South Africa here at Old Cricket Ground.

England batting

England began their innings by sending top batters Phil Salt and Jos Buttler to open. Their unprecedented partnership strongly supported their team in maintaining a shocking momentum against the Proteas, who had won the first clash of the T20I series.

The unbeaten Salt contributed 141 off just 60 balls, while Buttler played havoc with his bat, fantastically supporting his team. His remarkable score stood at 83. The team’s total had reached 224 before Buttler was dismissed.

Jacob Bethell immediately came in to ensure the aggressive momentum was maintained. He contributed 26 off 14, which helped push the team’s unforgettable total past 250. There was more to come after he was dismissed in the final overs.

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This innings did not stop there. With three overs remaining, the much-awaited skipper Harry Brook came in. He played even more aggressively against South Africa, contributing an unbeaten 41 off 21. This took the team’s final total up to 291, yet, thanks to 13 extras by the Proteas, England were able to post a massive 305-run target.

South Africa battling-line

Proteas came out to play the same, however what followed was a collapse that defined England’s command over the game.

The skipper Aiden Markram led from the front with a blistering 41 off 20 balls. His aggressive intent gave hope early on, but once he fell to Rashid, it all started to crumble.

Ryan Rickelton added 20 from just 10 balls, matching Markram’s tempo, but his dismissal to Archer opened the floodgates. The backbone of South Africa’s batting never formed.

Lhuan-dre Pretoriusand Dewald Brevis couldn’t build a partnership, both falling cheaply. Brevis looked promising with a six but managed only 4 runs.

Middle-order promise came briefly through Tristan Stubbs and Donovan Ferreira, who each managed 23 runs.

Stubbs struggled to rotate the strike, and Ferreira tried to counterattack. However, the England bowlers struck just when it mattered.

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Marco Jansen was bowled by the fiery Archer for just 3, while Bjorn Fortuin tried to resist with 32 off 16, a score that remained the only second notable score. However, wickets kept falling, with Archer, Jacks, and Dawson tearing through the tail.

South Africa’s tail offered no resistance: Rabada, Mphaka, and Williams all fell for 9, 0, and 0 respectively. With this, the innings folded at 158 in just 16.1 overs.

England’s bowling unit, relentless and precise, had completely dismantled a power-packed South African lineup.