England vs South Africa: 1st T20 predictions, team news, betting tips and odds

England vs South Africa date, start time & TV info 

Date Wednesday, September 10
Starts 6.30pm
Venue Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Competition T20 series
TV Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event

After England lost the ODI series against South Africa 2-1, Harry Brook's side will be aiming to get back to series-winning ways when they host the Proteas in this three-game T20 set, which starts at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Wednesday night.

The home team beat the West Indies 3-0 in this format earlier in the summer but have lost four of their last five T20s against the Proteas.

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England vs South Africa betting tips & predictions

Best bets

Dewald Brevis to be top South Africa runscorer
1pt 11-2 Betfair, Paddy Power

Sam Curran to be top England runscorer
1pt 14-1 Hills

England vs South Africa preview 

There is a chill in the air, the darker nights are drawing in and from the warm glow of an action-packed summer of cricket, an away Ashes series is starting to loom in the distance.

England’s thoughts have started to turn towards that crucial Test series, which begins in just over two months, and as a result they have rested Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith for this three-game T20 series against South Africa, which starts at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Wednesday evening.

The three ODIs between these nations were a tale of two halves, with South Africa skittling England for 131 in the first game and narrowly coming out on top in the second too before Harry Brook’s men bounced back in spectacular fashion in the final game.

After putting up a whopping 414-5, England’s bowling attack bowled the Proteas for just 72. The 342-run win was the biggest in ODI history, meaning that despite a 2-1 series loss, the hosts should have their tails up for these T20 games.

Jacob Bethell was the headline-maker in Southampton alongside Jofra Archer as the pair impressed with bat and ball, with youngster Bethell hitting his first professional century.

However, the 21-year-old could see the spotlight snatched away in this T20 by South Africa’s great young hope.

Dewald Brevis has long been tipped as the next big thing for the Proteas and showed why in their last T20 series in Australia, smashing an unbeaten 125 from 56 balls to break the record for the highest South African score in a T20 international. He followed that with a half-century in the next game.

The 22-year-old had a solid if unremarkable ODI series as he acclimatised to English conditions, making 42 from 20 balls at Lord’s. 

T20 is clearly Brevis’s strongest format, however, and he looks likely to be bumped up the order. And with David Miller having pulled out with a hamstring injury, Brevis looks a solid bet to be the Proteas’ top runscorer.

Curran could be back with a bang

Sam Curran has been brought in from the cold by England after impressing in the Hundred and T20 Blast this summer.

The all-rounder made 238 runs in eight innings in the Hundred and followed that with an unbeaten 69 for Surrey as they fell to defeat in the Blast quarter-finals.

After previously featuring down the order for England, the 27-year-old will bat at five in Cardiff and looks a big price to announce his return by being the home side’s top runscorer.

England vs South Africa team news and predicted line-ups 

England

England have announced their team for this first T20. Openers Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett have been rested, so Phil Salt and Jos Buttler are at the top of the order. Sam Curran returns from a long-term absence, while Liam Dawson is one of two spinners alongside Adil Rashid.

Line-up: 1 Phil Salt, 2 Jos Buttler (wk), 3 Jacob Bethell, 4 Harry Brook (c), 5 Sam Curran, 6 Tom Banton 7 Will Jacks, 8 Jamie Overton, 9 Liam Dawson, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 Adil Rashid 

South Africa

David Miller has been ruled out with a hamstring injury but Keshav Maharaj and Donovan Ferreira will feature. Kagiso Rabada has not played yet on this trip but could come in following an ankle injury.

Predicted line-up: 1 Aiden Markram (c), 2 Ryan Rickelton (wk), 3 Lhuan-dre Pretorius, 4 Dewald Brevis, 5 Tristan Stubbs, 6 Donovan Ferreira, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Corbin Bosch, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Lungi Ngidi

England vs South Africa betting odds

Sign up with bet365 to bet on England vs South Africa in the first T20. Here are the latest odds for Wednesday's match.

Odds correct at time of publishing

Want more top sports betting advice? Make sure you take a look at Racing Post Sport's tips for more of the latest picks from our experts.

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FAQs for England vs South Africa

When is England vs South Africa in the first T20?

The match starts at 6.30pm on Wednesday, September 10.

Where is England vs South Africa being played?

The first T20 of England's series against South Africa takes place at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

How can I watch England vs South Africa?

There is live coverage of Wednesday's match on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket.

What is the match betting for England vs South Africa?

England are 8-13 favourites to beat South Africa, who are 13-10 to win this one.

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