RCB trolled Jofra Archer after India beat England to reach the T20 World Cup final.© AFP

USA vs ENG T20 World Cup 2024 LIVE Updates: Must-win game for England.© X (Twitter)

Quinton de Kock made a coruscating fifty and bowlers responded bravely to the challenge of defending a sub-par total as South Africa thwarted a late England surge to eke out a tight seven-run win in their Group 2 Super Eight match in the T20 World Cup at Gros Islet, St Lucia on Friday. England had done well to keep South Africa to 163/6 in spite of De Kock’s 38-ball 65, but lost their way despite a spirited fightback from Harry Brook (53) and Liam Livingstone (33). They eventually finished at 156 for six.

South Africa’s perfection in executing their plans of taking the pace off the ball corresponded with England’s refusal to show intent as the defending champions did not find a single boundary between the fifth and the 12th over.

Brook and Livingstone did extremely well to stage a fightback to bring England back into the game but South Africa held their nerves, despite making plenty of errors, to keep their winning run in this World Cup intact.

England were still significantly far from target needing 46 runs to win from the final four overs but Ottneil Baartman, who had been measly throughout the group stage, sent down plenty of full-tosses as 21 runs were knocked off in the 17th over.

But Kagiso Rabada (2/32) stamped his class as he had Livingstone (33 off 17b, 3x4s, 2x6s) caught at deep backward square leg in the 18th over.

Marco Jansen then allowed only seven runs in the penultimate over to leave England needing 14 runs off the final over, in which Anrich Nortje (1/35) did well to remove Brooks and seal Proteas’ win.

Brook and Livingstone came together in the 11th over with England needing 103 to win from 58 balls. They added 78 from 42 but it was not enough as England paid a heavy price for being meek in the beginning.

Reeza Hendricks deserved all credits for pulling a catch out of thin air, putting a stunning effort at extra cover while diving to his left after Phil Salt (11) hit one hard against Rabada in the second over.

With Salt was dismissed early, England were neither quick off the blocks nor did they change approach to counter South African tactics.

Jonny Bairstow (17) failed to make the most of a lifeline given to him when Heinrich Klaasen dropped a regulation catch running in from backward square leg off Rabada in the third over.

However, with South African bowlers keeping it tight another chance came their way when Keshav Maharaj lured Bairstow to slash one wide of the off-stump and the batter obliged by hitting in the air. Nortje grabbed the chance.

The wily Maharaj then foxed England skipper Jos Buttler by taking the pace off a delivery which he hit straight to deep midwicket, where Klaasen did not make any mistake.

Moeen Ali (9) was bounced out by Baartman with Maharaj taking the catch as England skidded to 61 for four around the halfway mark.

Earlier, South Africa squandered a blistering start by Quinton de Kock (65) as England managed to keep the Proteas to a low total.

With De Kock (68, 4×4, 4×6) going hammer and tongs to take the scoring rate to nearly 10 an over for most of their first half, England fought back hard with regular wickets courtesy excellent fielding which remained the highlight of their effort.

Apart from De Kock’s fireworks, David Miller’s late resistance, 43 off 28 balls (4×4, 2×6), saved SA the blushes.

From 86 for no loss at one stage, South Africa had slipped to 113 for four by the 15th over, losing the momentum.

Amid the steady fall of wickets at one end, Miller held his ground and his late charge helped South Africa go past the 150-mark.

England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 Live Streaming: England face South Africa in a crucial Super 8 game of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Both sides won their opening games; South Africa outclassed USA, while England chased down 181 in just 17.3 overs against West Indies. Both sides will breathe a sigh of relief, as their openers returned to form. Phil Salt finally scored big, devastating the Windies bowling with a 47-ball 87, while Quinton de Kock scored 74 off 40 balls. However, England might head into the game in St. Lucia with a slight edge, having played their opening group game at the same venue.

When will the England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match be played?

The England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be played on Friday, June 21 (IST).

Where will the England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match be played?

The England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be played at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St. Lucia.

What time will the England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match start?

The England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will start at 8:00 PM IST. The toss will take place at 7:30 PM IST.

Which TV channels will telecast the England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match?

The England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be telecast in India on the Star Sports Network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match?

The England vs South Africa, T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 match will be streamed live on Disney plus Hotstar app and website.

(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)

Tearaway pacer Mark Wood believes England have to make do with whatever games they have in hand in their preparation period for their Men’s T20 World Cup title defence, especially with them not playing any official warm-up games organised by the ICC. England’s two games against Pakistan at Headingley and Cardiff have been abandoned without a ball being bowled, while the other game saw them emerge victorious by 23 runs. They have the last game of their series against Pakistan at The Oval on Thursday, which has a rain threat.

“Obviously, it’s not ideal when you schedule four games and we might only get one or two. A few of the lads are keen to get a run out at the Oval, so that will help. It will give confidence to everyone in the group.”

“It was a good game the other day against Pakistan. They looked like they were pushing us really close and might have got there in the end if it wasn’t for such good bowling and shutting the game out from (Reece) Topley, (Chris) Jordan and (Jofra) Archer,” Wood was quoted as saying by Sky Sports Cricket.

Post the end of the series, England will fly to Barbados for their T20 World Cup campaign opener against Group B opponents Scotland on June 4.

“Yes, we have got experience, but warm-up games always give you a sense of different things you can tinker with. Who is in good form? Who needs to work on other things? Some lads have been playing at the IPL and they are match ready.”

“Other lads haven’t, and the lads that haven’t, is there a freshness? You want the games to practise stuff, but it is a fine balance. One or two of us might feel like we need a game or two to get going, but there will be no excuses. It is coming around thick and fast. Whatever preparation we get, that is what we are going to have to go with,” added Wood.

Returning fast-bowler Jofra Archer claimed two wickets at Edgbaston on his first international return for 14 months. “The mark of Jofra is that he is always in the game, always at people. There is always a chance of wickets and him changing the game.”

“He bowled that difficult over — that sixth over is a tough one, it is the last over of the Powerplay where the batters are looking to score heavy, and I am sure he would have been nervous.”

“He is a pretty cool guy, and as soon as he got that over out of the way he would have settled into the game. To bowl those next three overs for next to nothing shows a great deal of resilience, which is something he has had to show over the past few years,” elaborated Wood.

He signed off by saying he was unaware about the idea of him partnering with Archer for the new-ball duties at the T20 World Cup. “I honestly have no idea. That’s a question for the management. But I have played with Jofra before, and I don’t see it like me or him. I don’t see why we can’t play together.”

“We played together at the 2019 World Cup and things went pretty well. I don’t see why we can’t play in the same team, but maybe it is up to the management to manage our bodies and see how we get through the tournament.”

England and Pakistan have played 1 match in the series, with England winning that game. The pitch at the Kennington Oval, London will allow for good stroke play and the batters will find it easy to bat on the surface. It will only allow a little assistance to the bowlers and wicket-taking is going to take a lot of work. The average 1st innings score at this venue in the last 20 matches is 164 runs. The pitch at the Kennington Oval, London is a sporting one with decent assistance for both batters and bowlers on offer. Depending on today’s ground conditions, the team winning the toss may decide to bat or bowl.

Weather Report

Temperature will hover around 15.18 degree C and humidity is expected to be around 69%. Winds at a speed of 3.91 m/s are expected. Cloudy weather is expected during the match, this may help pacers with movement.

Pace or Spin?

The pacers have taken 80% of the total wickets at this venue. Hence picking up pacers for your fantasy team should be a good idea. Based on the stats available, Fantasy gully experts predict that the pitch will continue to assist the pacers.

ENG vs PAK, Head to Head

In the 30 matches played between these 2 teams, the all-rounders of both teams have earned the most fantasy points for their respective teams so far.

ENG vs PAK, Fantasy XI Top Captain and Vice-Captain Picks

Shaheen Afridi

Shaheen Afridi is a bowler with an average of 87 match fantasy points in the last 10 games, a fantasy rating of 9.1 and is a very consistent player in terms of fantasy points. Shaheen Afridi is a left-arm fast bowler and in the recently played 4 matches, he has taken 3, 3, 3, 1 wickets.

Babar Azam

Babar Azam is a good-to-have player for your Fantasy XI Team. This player has an average of 55 match fantasy points in the last 10 games and a fantasy rating of 8.9. Babar Azam is a top order opening right-handed batter. In the recently played 5 matches he has scored 233 runs at an average of 46.6 per match.

Shadab Khan

Shadab Khan is an all-rounder with an average of 51 match fantasy points in the last 10 games, a fantasy rating of 8.7 and is a fairly consistent player in terms of fantasy points. This player is a right-handed batter. In the recently played 3 matches Shadab Khan has scored 3, 0, 15 runs averaging 9 per match.

Sam Curran

Sam Curran is an all-rounder with an average of 61 match fantasy points in the last 10 games, a fantasy rating of 8.7 and is a safe bet for your Dream11 Fantasy Team. This player is a batter, who bats left-handed. In his recently played 3 T20I matches Sam Curran has scored 75 runs. He also bowls decently, bowling left-arm medium fast and in the recent matches has taken 1, 2, 2, 1, 0 wickets.

Mohammad Rizwan

Mohammad Rizwan is a good-to-have player for your Fantasy XI Team. This player has an average of 52 match fantasy points in the last 10 games and a fantasy rating of 8.5. Mohammad Rizwan is a top order opening batter, who bats right-handed and also keeps wickets. In the last 5 matches he has scored 154 runs at an average of 51.3 per match.

Will Jacks

Will Jacks can be a differential pick for your Fantasy XI Team. He has an average of 51 match fantasy points in the last 10 games and a fantasy rating of 7.8. This player is a top order batter, who bats right-handed. In his last 3 T20I matches, Will Jacks has scored 68 runs.

Chris Jordan

Chris Jordan can be a good safe pick for your Fantasy XI Team. Chris Jordan has an average of 50 match fantasy points in the last 10 games and a fantasy rating of 7.2. He bowls right-arm fast medium and in the recent 3 T20 matches this player has taken 3 wickets at an average of 29. Chris Jordan has been very successful against this team, taking 1, 2, 0, 0, 2 wickets in the recent matches.

Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler can be a good pick for your Fantasy XI Team. Jos Buttler has an average of 62 match fantasy points in the last 10 games and a fantasy rating of 7.6. He is a top-order opening batter, who bats right-handed and also keeps wickets. In the recently played 5 T20 matches, this player has scored 84, 21, 19, 0, 34 runs at an average of 31.6 per match.

ENG vs PAK Fantasy XI Team

Wicket-Keepers: Mohammad Rizwan and Phil Salt

Batters: Babar Azam, Saim Ayub and Harry Brook

All-Rounders: Sam Curran, Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim

Bowlers: Shaheen Afridi, Chris Jordan and Adil Rashid

Captain: Jos Buttler

Vice-Captain: Mohammad Rizwan