It's win or bust for South Africa in Sharjah tonight. Well almost. England stand in South Africa's way for a berth in the semifinals from group 1, the pool of death. England, the world No. 1 side in the shortest format of the game, already have a foot in the last four and even if they were to lose tonight, their super net run rate (3.183) will give them the No. 1 position in the group. With Australia also gunning for a semifinal spot, it's effectively a two-horse race for the No. 2 position in Group 1. To advance into the semifinals, South Africa need to restrict England to 131 or less. Otherwise, it's England and Australia who progress to the knockouts. Whoever finishes No. 2 will face Pakistan, the group 2 toppers. For England, only a freak pair of results could deny them a semi-final spot. But Eoin Morgan’s side are not going to underestimate a South African team they have faced frequently in the last couple of years, particularly not at a ground that fails to play to England’s strengths. For the record, England have won their last five T20 internationals against South Africa. Therefore, the Proteas will have up their ante and especially their batsmen have to fire in the powerplays in not so friendly conditions in Sharjah. Follow live cricket scores of ENG vs SA here.
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23:31 PM IST: Wrap
What an entertaining day of cricket in Sharjah. South Africa start slow, bludgeon 71 runs in the last five overs, Rassie van der Dussen scores 94 not out, England go part131-run mark to officially knock out South Africa from the semifinal contention, Kagiso Rabada takes a hattrick in the final over of the match, South Africa win by 10 runs. In the end what mattered the most is England and Australia take the top two spots in the group to qualify for the semifinal.
23:19 PM IST: Rabada hattrick, SA win
Kagiso Rabada gets his maiden t20 hattrick as South African end on a high. England's winning streak has been snapped, lose by 10 runs. But that is not a concern for Eoin Morgan's men as they have made it to the last four stages of the tournament along with Australia.
23:03 PM IST: SA play for pride
Now that, South Africa have officially been eliminated, they want to finish the tournament on a high. Dawid Malan departs for 33 but he has done his job. England 165/4 (18)
22:52 PM IST: South Africa eliminated
That's it. Three huge maximums consecutively from Liam Livingstone off Kagiso Rabada to take England past the 131-run mark. South Africa are out of the tournament. 19 runs coming from the over. England 144/3 (16)
22:46 PM IST: Six runs shy
13 runs from the last two overs. England clearly are playing with 131 in mind. Just six runs shy of qualifying for the semis. England 125/3 (15)
22:33 PM IST Mooen departs
Mooen Ali goes for 37, trying to clear the long-on boundary. Tabraiz Shamsi is the bowler. England need 21 runs to qualify for semifinals. Liam Livingstone is in. England 112/3 (13)
22:30 PM IST: SA losing away
South Africa are losing away here in Sharjah. Aiden Markram concedes 15 runs including a six and a four against Dawid Malan and Moeen Ali. 100 up for England. England 104/2 (12)
22: 20 PM IST: Halfway stage
Two fours in the over by Dawid Malan off Kagiso Rabada to ease the pressure on England, 11 coming from it. England 81/2 (10)
22:14 PM IST: Shamsi beauty
Another good over from Tabraiz Shamsi, just six runs coming from it. England 70/2 (9)
22:10 PM IST: Pressure on England
After his exploits with the bat, Aiden Markram gives only three runs in his first over. Pressure on England. Dawid Malan (2*) and Moeen Ali (11*). England 64/2 (8)
22:07 PM IST: Shamsi brilliant
England are in much much trouble. They lose Jonny Bairstow cheaply, LBW to Tabraiz Shamsi. England 61/2 (7). Excellent first over from the World No.1 spinner.
21:57 PM IST: Buttler departs
Gone! Anrich Nortje gives South Africa the breakthrough. Jos Buttler hits straight at the hands of Temba Bavuma for 26. England 59/1 (6). Johnny Bairstow comes in.
21:54 PM IST: Eventfull over
Too much is happening on the field. Roy goes out retired hurt, Moeen Ali hits a four, Maharaj bowls a no ball, sloppy fielding by the South Africans and England reach 50/1 after 5 overs
21: 48 PM IST: Roy pulls a hamstring
On no! Trouble for England. Jason Roy is leaving the field with a hamstring pull. Big setback for England. Moeen Ali replaces him in the middle. Roy in tears.
21: 45 PM IST: Big over
4,4,1,4,1,1 - Jason Roy and Jos Buttler have their intent right as England pick another good over against Kagiso Rabada. England 37/0 (4).
21:42 PM IST: Roy joins party
After surviving in the last over, Jason Roy joins the party as he smacks two fours off Keshav Maharaj to take another 10 runs from the over. England 22/0 (3)
21:48 PM IST: Roy survives
Jason Roy survives an LBW scare, a couple of fours coming from Roy and Jos Buttler as England reach 12/0 in 2 overs.
21:35 PM IST: Silent start
Pretty silent over to start with for England. Just two runs coming in the first over Keshav Maharaj. England 2/0 (1). For the fact, England need 87 runs to make it to the semis.
21:25 PM IST: Calculations
To advance into the semifinals, South Africa need to restrict England to 131 or less. Otherwise, it's England and Australia who progress to the knockouts.
21: 16 PM IST: Innings break
Brilliant knocks by Rassie van der Dussen (94*) and Aiden Markram (52*) take South Africa to a mammoth 189/2 in 20 overs. Markram brings up his fifty with a big blow over long-off boundary for a six. Surely the England bowlers let the opposition take centre stage as both the batters pummel for 71 runs in the last five overs.
21:12 PM IST: Smart batting
Pitched short by Mark Wood and Aiden Markram goes to backfoot to smack it for a six. Huge blow. South Africa 173/2 (19). Rassie van der Dussen (86*), Aiden Markram (44*). Smart batting from the duo.
21: 08 PM IST: Jordan magic
Brilliant comeback from Chris Jordan, maintaining his line and length at this juncture barring the reverse scoop by Van der Dussen (82*) on the final ball. South Africa 160/2 (18)
21:00 PM IST: Markram charges
A pull off the backfoot for a four to end the over. Aiden Markram joins the party as he takes 11 runs from a Mark Wood over. South Africa 150/2 (17)
20:55 PM IST: Rassie van der Dussen in mood
Three sixes from Rassie van der Dussen (76*) off Chris Woakes. The right-hander is slowly opening his arm now. 21 runs from the over. Expect some fireworks from South Africa in the final overs. South Africa 139/2 (16)
20:50 PM IST: Brilliant Jordan
Yet another brilliant over from Chris Jordan. He concedes only four as South Africa reach 118/2 in 15 overs. Rassie van der Dussen is batting on 61 while Aiden Markram (15*) is giving him company.
20:37 PM IST: 100 up for SA
Rassie Van Der Dussen (57*) is setting the mood here today. First he takes a risky single to bring up his fifty and then smacks Mark Wood for a six to bring up 100 for South Africa. South Africa 103/2 (13). Aiden Markram (4*) is giving him company.
20:30 PM IST: De Kock departs
Finally a wicket for England. Quinton de Kock looks to go big against Adil Rashid but ends up giving a simple catch to Jason Roy. De Kock goes back for 34. South Africa 91/2 (12)
20:26 PM IST: SA cruise
South Africa don't want any of Quinton de Kock (34*) and Rassie van der Dussen (44*) lose their wickets today. They might have been slow today but South Africa need these two to fire all cylinders towards the end. South Africa 85/1 (11)
20:16 PM IST: Halfway stage
Both Rassie van der Dussen (35*) and Quinton de Kock (32*) have entered their 30s. Four boundaries for each so far as South Africa reach 73/1 at the halfway stage.
20:08 PM IST: Proteas need to do an India
Such an approach will hurt South Africa. The Proteas are batting a little bit faster than a snail's pace and it won't help them match Australia's NRR. Rassie van der Dussen (28*) and Quinton de Kock (24*) in the middle. These two need to do a India from Friday night. South Africa 56/1 (8)
19:58PM IST: Powerplay done
Two points in mind, Quinton de Kock (15*) and Rassie van der Dussen (21*) have been at their best with some lusty blows to end the powerplay. Four fours and a maximum between the two. South Africa 40/1 (6)
19: 50 PM IST: Moeen Ali draws first blood
Moeen Ali gives the first breakthrough for England, shatters Reeza Hendricks' stumps for just 2. South Africa 16/1 (3)
19:32 PM IST: Steady start
A four to start the first over by Quinton de Kock for South Africa. South Africa 6/0 (1)
19:05 PM IST: Playing XIs
South Africa: Quinton de Kock(w), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma(c), Aiden Markram, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi
England: Jason Roy, Jos Buttler(w), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan(c), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
19:00 PM IST: Toss
England have won the toss and they will bowl first.
18:48 PM IST: Scenario
With Australia cruising well against West Indies, the Aaron Finch-led side are certain to finish the Super 12 on eight points. England, who are at the top of the table with an all-win record will aim to win against South Africa confirming theirs and Australia's place in the semifinals. On the other hand, it's a must-win game for the Proteas as a win for them will make three teams -- England, South Africa and Australia -- level on eight points each. In that case the NRR will determine the top two slots in the group.
18:46 PM IST: Hello
Hello and welcome to another crunch match at the T20 World Cup where England will be facing South Africa in Sharjah.
Squads:
South Africa: Quinton de Kock(w), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma(c), Aiden Markram, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Heinrich Klaasen, Bjorn Fortuin, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi
England: Jason Roy, Jos Buttler(w), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan(c), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Tom Curran, Reece Topley, Sam Billings, David Willey
