Harry Brook accurately described it as a “farce” at the waterlogged Sophia Gardens on Wednesday. On Friday, a storm of English hits sunny Old Trafford. And now, on Sunday, we have a decisive match at Trent Bridge.
Or perhaps not. The sole decision that will be made, according to the weather forecast (see below), is when to cancel the game.
It would be unfortunate. South Africa should have the opportunity to demonstrate their lessons acquired from the experience, even though England deserves the opportunity to win the men’s T2OI series after their 304/2 total and 146-run victory in Manchester.
With an opening partnership of 126 off 47, Phil Salt and Jos Buttler put the home team in control. That amounts to a 268.09 strike rate. Indeed, 268.09. Buttler scored 83 off 30 balls in the eighth over, but Salt continued to play well, scoring an unbeaten 141 off 60.
The economy rates of the South Africans varied from 10.25 for Kwena Maphaka to 20.66 for Lizaad Williams. Kagiso Rabada’s economy rate of 17.50 meant that even a bowler with his level of talent and experience couldn’t stem the bleeding. The visitors vanished for 158 in 16.1 overs after being shellshocked.
England achieved 300 for the first time, and with the third-highest total in T20I history at that. Their highest score in the format and against South Africa is Salt’s innings. South Africa suffered their most crushing loss, while England secured their biggest T20I victory.
It was a stark contrast to what had transpired in Cardiff two days before. Rain cut England’s innings to five overs and South Africa’s to 7.5 overs. By 14 runs, Aiden Markram’s squad came out on the right side of the slippery-silly equation.
T20 cricket may be devoid of meaning and narrative. It’s true that every ball is an event, as the format’s devotees contend. However, that also implies that such discrete occurrences are erased from perception and memory, much like vanishing app messages. Not in this series, with its crazy roundabouts and swings. Particularly since India and Sri Lanka will host the World Cup in February and March.
Accordingly, a heated duel at Trent Bridge would be a fitting conclusion to the rubber and a tour during which South Africa won the ODI rubber. I hope the weather cooperates and clears up.
At 2.30 p.m. local time on September 14, 2025 (3.30 p.m. SAT, 1.30 p.m. GMT, and 7 p.m. IST)
Where: Nottingham’s Trent Bridge
What to anticipate: Rain: There is a 95% chance of rain in Nottingham for five hours in the afternoon. Additionally, among the six-day men’s T20Is that have been played at Trent Bridge, totals of 190 or more have been scored four times.
Team news:
England: It should be against the law to mess with this XI: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (captain), Sam Curran, Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, and Luke Wood are all potential candidates for the starting lineup.
South Africa: Lungi Ngidi and David Miller, who are hobbled, are already on the injury list, and Keshav Maharaj has added a groin strain to it.
Ryan Rickelton, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Donovan Ferreira, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, and Markram (captain) are all potential roster members.
What they stated: “I want to bat at a high strike rate and go as long into games as I can. The two don’t usually go hand in hand, but as a player, that’s what I want to do. Being right up there is the aim. My goal is to be the world’s finest at this. Phil Salt outlines his justification.
“With the new ball, we must come up with alternate plans in the event of an attack. We lost our individuality. It was a terrible performance, well below par. You must make sure you keep your head if everyone else is losing theirs. Tonight, we were unable to accomplish that. It makes sense that Shukri Conrad would not see any good in the Manchester mauling.
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