England vs South Africa Twenty20 2008: Preview and Live Score
England and South Africa will face each other in a Twenty20 match on 20 August 2008 at the Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street in England. The twenty20 match will take place before the five-match ODI series gets underway. This will be the only twenty20 match in the tour so both sides will try their best to win the match and clinch the twenty20 title ahead of the ODI series.
Match: England vs South Africa, Twenty20
Date: 20 August 2008, Wednesday
Venue: Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street, England
Kick off: 16:30 local time (15:30 GMT)
You already know that South Africa won the test series 2-1 which has been the third ever test series victory for South African in England. So, they will definitely look to continue their success in twenty20 format too. England, in contrast, must be feeling some pressure to perform well in the twenty20 match and ODI series because English fans are not happy with the kind of performance England showed in the test series except the fourth test.
First Assignment for England’s New Captain Kevin Pietersen in Twenty20 Format
Following the defeat in the third test with which England’s series defeat was also confirmed, Michael Vaughan stepped down from English captaincy and unexpectedly England’s former ODI and Twenty20 Captain Paul Collingwood also resigned on the same day. In his very first assignment, Kevin Pietersen came out with excellent performance leading England to win the fourth test. Now, it is time to show his captaincy skill in Twenty20 and ODI formats of cricket.
No doubt, Pietersen is the most consistent batsmen in England squad at this moment and England will look for another smashing innings from him in the twenty20 match. He is naturally a big hitter who loves to hit the ball irrespective of formats he plays in. So, apparently he will carry a big responsibility with his bat in the twenty20 match, besides his captaincy job.
England Squad
Both England and South Africa declared their squads for the twenty20 match. Given his recent performance in the recent tour match against South Africa in evidence, I think, Samit Patel deserves his debut twenty20 match against South Africa. Patel batted very well in his 71-ball 60 with 7 fours and 1 six, after conceding only nine runs in his four overs against South Africa in the tour match. Ian Bell and Luke Wright are expected to open England innings, and Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ravi Bopara, Andrew Flintoff and Matt Prior are expected to follow in their batting line up.
For bowling, Stuart Broad and James Anderson will lead English pace attack, while Paul Collingwood and Luke Wright will also be there to help the pacers. I think, Graeme Swann will continue his off-spin job. Here, Samit Patel’s inclusion might bring some variety in English bowling attack with his orthodox left-arm spin.
Probable Twenty20 XI for England
Ian Bell, Luke Wright, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ravi Bopara, Andrew Flintoff, Matt Prior, Samit Patel, Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Graeme Swann.
South Africa Squad
South Africa has a very strong Twenty20 squad in the presence of some hard hitters and all rounders like Albie Morkel. However, Albie Morkel might miss the Twenty20 match as he sustained a sprained ligament while playing domestic cricket three weeks ago. However, his condition has been improved lately. Herschelle Gibbs and Captain Graeme Smith are expected to open South Africa’s innings. Though Hashim Amla played well as an opener in the twenty20 tour match, I think, South Africa might stick to their long-time hard hitter Herschelle Gibbs in the opening slot. Then AB de Villiers, Jean-Paul Duminy, Justin Ontong and all rounder Albie Morkel will come in simultaneously. Though in the twenty20 tour match AB de Villiers kept the wickets, I am not sure whether he will be continuing his job behind the wicket in upcoming twenty20 match, in stead of regular wicket keeper Mark Boucher. If Villiers keeps the wickets then South Africa will have an option to add an extra batsmen or bowler, but I do not think, there is anyone left in the squad who can bat more aggressively than Boucher. So, Boucher should be there behind the wickets in the twenty20 match.
Morne Morkel, Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel will lead South Africa’s pace attack, while Albie Morkel will also come out with his effective medium-fast to strengthen their pace attack. Off spinner Johan Botha will lead their spin attack where captain Graeme Smith might also add some splash with his off-break in the match.
Probable Twenty20 XI for South Africa
Herschelle Gibbs, Graeme Smith, AB de Villiers, Jean-Paul Duminy, Justin Ontong, Albie Morkel, Mark Boucher, Morne Morkel, Makhaya Ntini, Andre Nel and Johan Botha.
Online Live Score and Updates
Here, I am giving some online live score websites from where you can get the live score and updates of the match:
Cricinfo
Cricketnext
Cricket.sulekha
stickcricket
cricpoint
indvsauslivescore
cricbuzz
squidoo
Sify
cricketworld
Twenty20 match is always something special for the cricket fans. Twenty20 cricket is like an ‘action-packed thriller’ which you can enjoy within a short piece of time. I think, this match will be no difference. In the presence of some big hitters on both sides, it is very possible to see flurry of big hits around the wicket in the match. I hope, it will be an excellent match with full of excitement for the cricket fans.
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