South Africa Defeats England in First T20I, Weather Plays Havoc

The first T20I between England and South Africa was heavily impacted by rain, delaying the start by four hours. The match was reduced to 12.5 overs. South Africa, batting first, scored 97 runs for 5 wickets in 7.5 overs, with four batsmen maintaining a strike rate above 200. Captain Aiden Markram led the scoring with 28 runs from 14 balls, including two fours and two sixes. Devon Ferreira hit an unbeaten 25 from 11 balls, with three sixes. Dewald Brevis contributed 23 runs from 10 balls with three sixes, and Tristan Stubbs scored 13 runs from six balls, featuring a four and a six. Luke Wood took two wickets for England. Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, and Sam Curran picked up one wicket each. When the rain stopped, England was given a target of 68 runs in five overs. They managed only 54 runs for the loss of five wickets. Jos Buttler scored 25 runs from 11 balls, including a four and three sixes. Sam Curran remained unbeaten with 10 runs. Phil Salt was out for a duck, and captain Harry Brook was also dismissed without scoring. Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch of South Africa took two wickets each. Kagiso Rabada took one wicket. This was the second time South Africa had defeated England in Cardiff in a T20I match. A total of 14 sixes were hit in the 12.5-over match.