"It was mildly absurd in one sense, a day of rain showers in Cardiff turning the first T20 international between England and South Africa into a shortened thrash that did not get underway until 8.50pm. But the hardy spectators who stuck around were at least rewarded for their patience with something resembling a match; a bit of fun, chiefly, albeit one that now sees the tourists go into 's second outing at Old Trafford with a 1-0 lead in this three-match end-of-summer series."
"The result was a 14-run victory for South Africa via Duckworth-Lewis-Stern and thus how they got there requires some explaining. This was initially set up as a nine-over contest, only for a further shower to cut short the tourists' innings at 97 for five from 7.5. With any extra time already spent, the upshot was England being tasked with chasing 69 in just five overs."
"Kudos to South Africa, who put a low price on their wickets and cleared the rope nine times after being inserted. Aiden Markram led the charge with 28 from 14, before Dewald Brevis, 23 from 10, and Donovan Ferreira, 25 not out from 11, ensured an early wobble was not ruinous. Even with a short straight hit available at Sophia Gardens, all three are serious ball-strikers."
Rain delayed the Cardiff T20 until 8.50pm and reduced play multiple times. South Africa were inserted and posted 97 for five from 7.5 overs before a further shower ended their innings. Duckworth-Lewis-Stern set England a revised target of 69 from five overs. England required aggressive batting immediately but suffered a succession of mis-hit dismissals, finishing 54 for five. Jos Buttler hit three sixes in an 11-ball 25, while Harry Brook registered a fourth-ball duck. Aiden Markram (28 off 14), Dewald Brevis (23 off 10) and Donovan Ferreira (25* off 11) provided the tourists' big hitting.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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