England vs South Africa: England Wins 2nd T20 Match at Old Trafford by 146 Runs, Levels Series 1-1.
SNPNEWS.IN Cricket Update: On the night of September 12, as per Indian Standard Time, the second T20 match of a three-match series between England and South Africa was played. South Africa, leading the series 1-0, won the toss and invited England to bat first, with captain A. Markram making the call.
England’s openers, P. Salt (60 off 141)* and J. Buttler (WK) (30 off 83), started the innings aggressively. The team crossed the 100-run mark within the powerplay. When England lost J. Buttler’s wicket, they had scored 126 runs in 49 balls. After the first wicket fell, J. Bethell contributed 14 off 26 balls. By the time J. Bethell was dismissed on the 86th ball, England had reached 221 runs.
H. Brook (C) added an unbeaten 21 off 41, helping England set a massive target of 305 runs, the highest in T20 history. England’s batsmen smashed 30 fours and 18 sixes during the innings. For South Africa, only B. Fortuin (4-52-2) managed to take wickets.
In response, South Africa’s openers, A. Markram (C) (20 off 41) and Rickelton (WK) (10 off 20), started the chase. Apart from B. Fortuin (16 off 32) and D. Ferreira (11 off 23), the rest of the team failed to deliver. South Africa was bowled out for 158 runs in 16.1 overs. England’s bowlers, J. Archer (3-25-3), W. Jacks (1-2-2), and S. Curran (2-11-2), took crucial wickets.
South Africa lost the match by 146 runs with 23 balls remaining. With this victory, England leveled the three-match series at 1-1 .