England vs South Africa: Score, prediction and statistics.

That’s that for today’s liveblog. We’ll be back tomorrow with live coverage from the massive game in Group B between Afghanistan and New Zealand. 

South Africa win by 10 runs

Well that’s that. South Africa win but are knocked out of the competition nonetheless and England’s unbeaten record comes to an end. Perhaps most importantly for England, Jason Roy looks set to be out of the rest of the competition with a muscle injury.

Over 19.5: Single. England need 12 off 1.

South Africa have won here. Just need to keep that foot behind the line

Over 19.4: Single. England need 13 off 2.

Over 19.3: Wicket. Rabada has a hat-trick!

Wow. Well Rabada had 0-45 off his first three overs. And now he has three wickets in his next three deliveries. Wood in as England’s last man.

Over 19.2: Wicket

Morgan goes now too. Finds the hands of backward square leg on the boundary. Maharaj with the catch. England are now 176-7 with Chris Jordan and Adil Rashid at the crease. 14 needed off 4.

Over 19.1: Wicket

Fair delivery. Woakes goes for 7. England need 14 off 5. South Africa heavy favourites now.

Over 19.1: Drama

Right. Woakes has been caught. But we’re checking for a no-ball…

Over 19: 176-5 – England need 14 off the final over

The last ball of the over is a scampered two and England will need 14. Woakes on strike. Rabada with the ball.

Over 18.5 – Dot. 16 off 7.

Over 18.4 – Single. 16 off 8.

Over 18.3: NO-BALL. Free hit goes for six!

It looked a single and the start to an excellent over from Pretorius. But instead it was a no-ball and means that the first ball Chris Woakes will face this tournament will be a free-hit. And it’s a six! Woakes smokes the ball over long-off and the ball clatters into the stadium roof.

Over 18.2: Dot. England need 25 off 10

We’re going ball by ball from now….

Over 18.1: WICKET – Livingstone 28 (17) ct Miller b Pretorius

Immediately the pendulum swings to South Africa as Livingstone is caught at long-off. The batters did cross which means the left-handed Morgan will be on strike to the short boundary. Chris Woakes the new man in.

Over 18: 165-4 – Too close to call

Advantage England? Pffff…ten runs come off the over but a vital dot ball right at the end means 25 is required of 12 balls. Pretorius to bowl the penultimate over and then it will likely be Rabada to finish off. He’s bowled three overs for 45 runs today…

Over 17: 155-4 – Pretorius removes Malan

35 needed off 18 balls here. Malan went for the big shot however was exceptionally well caught by Rabada who took a hard catch over his shoulder. Morgan comes in at seven and hits his first ball for four. Nortje returns to the attack for South Africa….

Over 16: 144-3 – Livingstone takes Rabada apart

Sensational batting from Livingstone who has torn Rabada apart. All of a sudden England need 46 off the last four overs. WinViz has the game at 50-50.

South Africa are OUT of the World Cup

Right we have an onslaught from England here. The last ball of Pretorius’s over went for six and so too have the first two of Rabada’s over to Livingstone. The first went absolutely miles. 112m, the biggest six of the competition. And another! Three in a row for Livingstone. Four in a row for England.

Over 15: 125-3 – Pretorius into the attack

Dwayne Pretorius comes on to bowl and looks to have bowled a superb over as his first five balls go for just two runs. However, Dawid Malan climbs into the last ball of the over for six to keep England just about ticking.

Over 14: 117-3 – Run rate climbing

The beauty of T20 cricket is it shifts so quickly. One tight over from South Africa and all of a sudden the rate for England looks very daunting. Malan is on 26 off 21. England need 73 off 36. Prepare for gears to be changed.

Over 13: 112-3 – Shamsi strikes

Six and out for Mo. A wonderful shot over long-on disappeared out of the stadium but an attempted repeat found the fielders hands at long-on. Liam Livingstone comes in and almost chops on first ball. England need 78 off 7 overs. We have a hell of a game on our hands. Will be interesting to see how South Africa react when England pass 131 and knock them out of the competition only for them to have to keep playing.

Over 12: 105-2 – Moeen whacks Markram

Yep, I think the dream is over for South Africa. Consecutive boundaries from Moeen off the off-spin of Markram, including a trademark smeared six over long-off and England are now 26 runs away from knocking SA out. England need 86 off eight overs to win the match.

Over 11: 89-2 – England qualify

Eight runs from Shami’s over sees England past 87 which was enough for them to qualify.

Worth noting that if England are going to win this game, the chances of South Africa qualifying will be finished in the next over or two. It’s now or never for the Proteas…

Over 10: 81-2 – Two boundaries for Malan

Easy to say with the benefit of hindsight but I’d have been greedy and tried Markram against the two lefties again. Rabada comes back on and Malan is a good player of pace. He gets lucky as an outside edge goes for four, but a thumping cover drive follows to give England an excellent over. That said…11 an over is pretty much exactly what they need from now.

Over 9: 70-2 – Pressure for England continues to mount

Just six off the over from Shamsi as Moeen manages to get away a boundary and a two but nothing more. Rabada returns to the attack and England’s RRR is now more than ten…

Over 8: 64-2 – Match-ups everywhere

Two left-handers at the crease means Aiden Markram comes into the attack to bowl some off-spin. Just three runs off the over and SA are getting ahead in the match here, even if defending 131 still seems unlikely. England really can’t afford a few slow overs if they’re going to win.

Over 7: 61-2 – Double breakthrough for SA

In to the attack comes Shamsi and out goes Bairstow. Caught on the backfoot, this ball pitches on leg-stump and straightens. Bairstow reviews but it looked dead as anything. England are in effect three down now and on pace with the run rate. If this game was all about SA defending 190 the game would be in the balance. As it happens, SA are dragging it back to give them hope of defending an unlikely 131.

Over 6: 59-1 – Breakthrough for SA

It’s been a very eventful ten minutes. Jos Buttler strikes the most audacious six over long-on. The ball was only slightly short and he somehow pulls the ball with such power into the stand. But, two balls later, he drives straight to Temba Bavuma at mid-off who takes a good low catch. Quite sizeable celebrations from the South Africans who still believe that defending 131 isn’t out of the question.

Over 5: 50-0 – Carnage

Blimey. A lot going on here. Roy retires hurt halfway through the over and Ali comes in to replace him. Ali hits the last ball of the over for four only for it to be a no-ball. Ali then hoists the no-ball high into the night sky only to see the ball dropped by Nortje which allows England an extra run. Carnage. Incidentally, Buttler had signalled to the dugout that a left-hander was required in place of Roy. Notable that Ali has come out instead of Malan, which is most likely given that England need to make the most of this powerplay and can’t afford any slow starts.

Roy retires hurt, Ali comes in

Uh oh….ah this is very sad. Buttler calls Roy through for a single and immediately something’s not right with Roy. It looks like his calf has gone, I’m not sure whether it’s the same calf that ruled him out for much of the 2019 World Cup but he will be out of this game and no doubt the tournament as well. Roy is clearly devastated.

Over 4: 37-0 – 35 runs off the last three overs

Yeah, England are ticking now. Rabada comes into the attack and Buttler hits his first two balls for four. A single then brings Roy on strike who flicks the ball down to fine leg for four more. England are now within 100 runs of knocking South Africa out.

Over 3: 22-0 – England putting their foot down

There’s two games happening at once here. South Africa are desperately defending 131 but England definitely have their sights set 60 runs beyond that. Two more boundaries come from Maharaj’s over. Ten runs from the over. Without sounding hyperbolic, if this is to happen for South Africa, something needs to happen very soon.

Over 2: 12-0 – Fine margins for SA

An immediate response from England. SA reviewed an LBW decision against Roy although the ball was fairly comfortably going over the top. England were on 3 runs nine balls in but two boundaries from the last three balls of the over immediately released any building pressure.

Over 1: 2-0 – Great start for SA and all the permutations

190 for England to win. 131 for South Africa to go through. England will qualify once they reach 87 and will qualify top of the group with 106. A great start from Maharaj. Just the two runs off it. 

State of play – SA must restrict England to 131 to qualify

So, a hell of an innings from South Africa and in particular Rassie van der Dussen who scored 94 not out off 60 balls. Him and Aiden Markram scored 71 off the final five overs. But! The key figure for South Africa is 131. Keep England below that and they will be in the semi-finals. See you soon for the second innings.

End of innings: 189-2 van der Dussen 94 (60) Markram 52 (25)

Markram reaches his 50 off the third ball of the over with a six over long-off. His milestone coming off just 24 balls. Ooph…and another six! This time from vd Dussen who launches the ball to long-offs right. And that’s that. South Africa finish on 189-2. England need 190 to win. South Africa need to restrict England to 131 to qualify.

Over 19: 173-2 – Carnage.

Oh Woody….famed for shouting various Newcastle player names when attempting a run-out with his boot, this time he manages to volley the ball back past Jos Buttler to give South Africa another overthrow (overfoot?). To add insult to injury, this extra run allows Markram back on strike and he deposits Wood into the stand for six. Three twos come in the over as well and that over goes for 13. Wood finishes his four overs with 0-47. Ouch.

Over 18: 160-2 – Overthrows and reverse paddles

Overthrows come to the party. I wouldn’t go as far to say England are flustered here but they are on the back foot. A simple two over mid-off becomes three as Woakes throw into Jordan beats him. And another overthrow. The ball goes through to Buttler who underarms at the stumps with van der Dussen out of his crease. And yet, with only six runs coming off the first five balls it threatened to be England’s over. But wow…what a shot from van der Dussen. On one knee he reverse laps Jordan over short third for four. He’s on 82 and this is a hell of an innings.

Over 17: 150-2 – Markram and van der Dussen motoring

Another double digit over for SA. Wood returns, who had been expensive in his first two overs, and he continues to be so as this over goes for 11. 59 runs have come in the last five overs. Can they get to 180 and then bowl England out for 120?

Over 16: 139-2 – Three sixes from the over

Here we go! All that stuff I said earlier about South Africa going too slowly and destined to get a below par 150 is out of the window. van der Dussen is clearly in the mood and launches Woakes for consecutive sixes. And another! This time it’s Markram who clears the short boundary on the legside. 21 off the over.

Over 15: 118-2 – Excellent over from Jordan

Chris Jordan returns to the attack and immediately puts the brakes on. Just the four singles off the over as two attempted laps over the keepers’ head from vd Dussen fail. Just a reminder, if South Africa get 175 they’ll need to win by 59 runs. That margin of victory fluctuates slightly depending on how many SA get, but sits pretty steady around the 60 run mark.

Over 14: 114-2 – Markram joins the party

Another double digit over for South Africa as Rashid’s over goes for 11. Markram advances down the wicket against the fifth ball of the over and launches the ball miles into the stands. Rashid finishes with 1-32. vd Dussen is on 59 off 41. Markam 13 off 8.

Over 13: 103-2 van der Dussen lifts the tempo

A good over for England turns into a good over for South Africa in the space of one ball as six off five balls turns into 12 off 6. van der Dussen pulls Wood over backward square leg and it hits the roof of the stadium. 30 runs have come off the last three overs…

Over 12: 91-2 – England get de Kock

That’s a big big wicket. Not that there’s ever a bad time to take a wicket, but that is an especially good one for England. de Kock advances at Rashid but doesn’t quite get enough on the ball and is caught at long-on. de Kock rests the bat on top of his head in disbelief, double fist pumps from Rashid. A big moment in the game.

Over 11: 85-1 – South Africa starting their charge?

Mark Wood comes into the attack for his first bowl of the World Cup. And is this the acceleration from South Africa? vd Dussen laps Wood over Buttler’s head for six, using that extra pace to see the ball fly a mile. de Kock then has a big hack as well. That buzzword of “intent” is starting to be shown. Oooph…close right at the end. Wood hammers the ball into back-of-a-length and it takes a leading edge from vd Dussen which falls just short of the fielder. He survives. 12 off the over.

Over 10: 73-1 – South Africa continue to potter along

One boundary, reverse swept by de Kock. Plus four singles and that’s your lot. If England strike here then they’ll be firmly in the driving seat in my opinion. But, with two set batters at the crease, a few more overs of minimal risk and eight runs an over. Well…could we be in for some Sharjah fireworks?

Over 9: 65-1 – Another review goes South Africa’s way

This game feels a bit copy and paste right now. All my money is currently on South Africa getting about 150. It being okay and then England chasing it four down. We did have some excitement as a big LBW shout against van der Dussen is turned down. England review and vd Dussen who had walked across his stumps survives on umpires call on whether the ball had struck him outside the line.

Over 8: 56-1 – Rashid begins. Seven off the over.

We had a reverse sweep for four, a review and a few singles. South Africa are currently pottering along without too much trouble but without too much intent either. They’re going to have to ratchet up the gears soon…

ENGLAND REVIEW

Oooo…what have we here. van der Dussen sweeps and the ball goes through to Buttler. Buttler’s convinced, Rashid less so and Joel Wilson even less than that. And that will be why…a flat line. There was definitely a noise though…

Over 7: 49-1 – Moeen bowls through

Moeen Ali bowls his four through and finishes with 1-27 off his four overs. A reverse-sweep from QdK the highlight of that over. He’s on 22 off 17. van der Dussen is slightly ahead with 23 off 17.

Over 6: 40-1 – Aggression from SA

Here we go. A bit of action from South Africa and that small boundary really being noticed for the first time. The first ball is an inside edge that races for four and sneaks under Adil Rashid on the boundary. The second ball he appears to just hit miles in the air only for it to sail comfortably for six.

Over 5: 26-1 – England cruising

Three overs on the trot for Mo is dream stuff for England, although maybe the idea that Mo is their fifth bowler is becoming old news and he’s actually one of their best. Who knows…only five singles off teh over however and England will be really pleased with this.

Over 4: 21-1 – South Africa stuttering

Woakes continues and has his first ball ramped for four by van der Dussen over fine leg. However, only one more run comes from the rest of the over and even that was nearly a run-out following some confusion. Reminder, if South Africa get 160, they need to bowl England out for 99 or fewer. They’re currently going at 5s…

Over 3: 16-1 – Hendricks bowled

Wallop. Four runs to begin with as de Kock strikes Ali down the ground. A single brings Reeza Hendricks on strike who after a couple of dots finds himself with some pressure building. 2 off 7 and….op, yep. Gone. Ali bowls Hendricks. A big sweep is missed and Hendricks is out. Given South Africa need a big win to have any hope here, 2 off 8 from one of their openers really isn’t an ideal start. van der Dussen come to the crease and starts with a single.

Over 2: 10-0

Woakes takes the new ball from the other end. He’s had a phenomenal tournament so far. Only five wickets but an economy of 5.68 and an average of 14.60. Handy. And that economy gets even lower as a quiet over comes to an end with four singles taken.

Over 1: 6-0

A dot and a single to begin with brings de Kock on strike. His first ball is a tentative prod but his second is a wonderful shot over extra cover for four. We have a very short boundary in play today, 57 metres to one side so expect that to be heavily targeted.

Away we go…

Moeen Ali with the new ball We did say so…

Five minutes to go

So, what should we expect from the game ahead. South Africa are going to have to go very hard at England if they want any chance of qualification which could mean we could be in for some fun. Whether that means lots of sixes or complete capitulation, we’ll have to find out. Also expect to see Moeen Ali back with the new ball with QdK a favourable match-up.

Team news

England make the one change as Mark Wood comes in for the injured Tymal Mills. South Africa are unchanged.

England: 1 Jason Roy, 2 Jos Buttler, 3 Dawid Malan, 4 Jonny Bairstow , 5 Eoin Morgan, 6 Liam Livingstone, 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Chris Jordan, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Mark Wood

South Africa: 1 Quinton de Kock, 2 Reeza Hendricks, 3 Aiden Markram, 4 Temba Bavuma, 5 Rassie van der Dussen, 6 David Miller, 7 Dwaine Pretorius, 8 Kagiso Rabada, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Anrich Nortje, 11 Tabraiz Shamshi

England win the toss and bowl

Hello hello everyone, live blog central here. South Africa need a big win here to overtake Australia and qualify for the semi-finals. Life has been made, if not easier, then clearer by losing the toss as it means they must win by 61 runs to qualify for the semi-finals.

England and South Africa will take on each other in the final contest of Group 1 in the T20 World Cup 2021.

T20 World Cup 2021, England v South Africa – Preview

Date: November 6, 2021

Time: 6 pm

Venue: Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium, Sharjah

England have all but made it to the semi-finals, with eight points at a net run rate of 3.183. South Africa have six points and a net run rate of 0.742. South Africa will look to win big, so as to ensure themselves of a semi-final spot.

England: Injury updates and squad news

Injury updates: England have been in great form despite injury concerns through the tournament. Now, they’ll miss out on the services of Tymal Mills.

Predicted XI: Jason Roy, Jos Buttler (wk), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan (c), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Chirs Jordan, David Willey, Adil Rashid

Team updates and Squad news for England: Eng Squad

South Africa: Injury updates and squad news

Injury updates: South Africa have gained momentum with a few wins, and would hope that their pacers continue their red-hot form against England as well.

Predicted XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Anrich Nortje

Team updates and Squad news for South Africa: SA Squad 

T20 World Cup 2021, England v South Africa: Where to watch live

India: Star Sports Network: Star Sports 1 (and HD), Star Sports 2 (and HD), Star Sports 1 Hindi (and HD), Star Sports 1 Tamil, Star Sports 1 Telugu and Star Sports 1 Kannada

Start time 7.30 pm IST

UK & Ireland: Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Mix; Sky Sports app, www.skysports.com

Start time 3 pm BST

South Africa:  SuperSport Cricket; www.supersport.com & the SuperSport app

Start time 4 pm SAST

The complete list of broadcast (TV and live streaming) options for the tournament can be found here.