South Africa claimed a 14-run win over England by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in a chaotic, rain-affected opening T20I on 11 September at Sophia Gardens.
Persistent showers delayed the start by almost four hours before further interruptions reduced the match to just 12.5 overs in total. South Africa blasted their way to 97-5 in 7.5 overs, setting England a DLS-adjusted target of 69 from only five overs.
England’s chase began disastrously when Phil Salt was caught off the first ball by Kagiso Rabada. Jacob Bethell managed only seven before falling to Marco Jansen, while captain Harry Brook departed for a four-ball duck.
Jos Buttler briefly kept England’s hopes alive with a rapid 25 off 11 balls, including three sixes, but wickets fell too frequently. Sam Curran struck one big blow, yet the task of 26 runs from the final over proved too steep. England closed on 54-5, with Jansen (2-18) and Corbin Bosch (2-20) leading the South African attack.
Earlier, Aiden Markram top-scored with 28 off 14 balls after Luke Wood, replacing the rested Jofra Archer, struck with the first over. Dewald Brevis entertained with 23 from 10 deliveries before falling to Curran’s first ball, while Donovan Ferreira finished unbeaten on 25 from 11 with three sixes.
The three-match series continues at Old Trafford on 12 September, though rain is again in the forecast.
