Winning a nerve-wracking first game would have done much to boost the confidence of a rebuilt South African unit, and they will now keep their eyes on the prospect of a series win against one of the most dominant teams with white balls.
The 2nd T20I between ENG v SA will go live from Kingsmead, Durban on Friday, 14 February at 18:00 local and 16:00 GMT.
Despite the dramatic victory, South Africa will know that there are a few key areas to work on. Especially the middle order, which in the absence of Temba Bavuma, who was promoted, seemed a bit too inexperienced.
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ICYMI: The hosts came out trumps by just one run in a thrilling encounter between South Africa and England.#SAvENG REPORT 👇 https://t.co/xc3xe5W8dU
— ICC (@ICC) February 12, 2020
England wants to intercept the first loss as a mere wrong decision and return to winning ways in the second game. As winners of the 2019 ICC Men’s World Cricket Championship and finalists of the last ICC Men’s T20 World Championship, they are currently one of the strongest teams with white balls. The area they need to focus on across formats is against the tendency to collapse. Another such chapter on Wednesday led to their narrow defeat.
What happened last time when they met?
England seemed to have the hunt for 178 under control. At the end of the 17th century, they were on strike with Ben Stokes and captain Eoin Morgan.
Lungi Ngidi provided half of the threat in the 18th by releasing Ben Stokes with a newly improved, slower ball. When Morgan Beuran met Hendricks in the 19th for two fours and a six to leave England only seven to finish the final, Ngidi wrote a dramatic final act. He played a good mix of faster and slower ones to fire Tom Curran and Moeen Ali, take only five runs and give his team an unlikely win.
Players Views
Lungi Ngidi, Bowler, South Africa: “I think it is a mental thing to do well in situations that require it. It takes a lot of your mental side. Physically, obviously I try so well I can go back to my pace and hit the areas I’m known for. “
Eoin Morgan, captain, England: “Such experiences, especially with a world championship around the corner, are just so valuable for the team. I think we can get to know both sides better when they put a little more pressure on them.”
Weather Conditions For ENG v SA 2nd T20I | Friday 14 February 2020
The playing field in Durban tends to be a little slower than most other South African wickets, which could make choosing Ngidi’s slower balls a little more difficult. The weather is expected to be pleasant with negligible rain chances.
South Africa Team Squad
- Quinton de Kock (Captain & Keeper)
- Temba Bavuma
- Bjorn Fortuin
- Reeza Hendricks
- Beuran Hendricks
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Sisanda Magala
- David Miller
- Lungi Ngidi
- Andile Phehlukwayo
- Dwaine Pretorius
- Tabraiz Shamsi
- Jon-Jon Smuts
- Dale Steyn
- Pite van Biljon
- Rassie van der Dussen
England Team Squad
- Eoin Morgan (Captain)
- Moeen Ali
- Jonny Bairstow
- Jos Buttler (Keeper)
- Sam Curran
- Tom Curran
- Joe Denly
- Chris Jordan
- Saqib Mahmood
- Dawid Malan
- Matt Parkinson
- Adil Rashid
- Jason Roy
- Ben Stokes
- Mark Wood
