South Africa vs England 1st T20I Preview – Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Team News and Predictions – 12/02/2020
South Africa and England will continue to build towards the T20 World Cup with three T20 matches in the space of a week.
England have already secured a Test series success over the Proteas and won the final ODI clash to draw that particular series.
Attention quickly turns to the T20Is, which have added importance with a world cup on the horizon. Both teams will be looking to tweak their line-ups and explore their options during these three battles.
South Africa vs England 1st T20I – Match Preview
Where: Buffalo Park, East London
When: Wednesday 12th February
Start Time: 21:30 (IST), 16:00 (GMT)
South Africa vs England 1st T20I – Latest Odds
England are considered the 1.62 (8/13) favourites with Betway to get off to a winning start at Buffalo Park.
Hosts South Africa can be backed at 2.10 (11/10) to take the early lead.
South Africa vs England 1st T20I – Team News
The big news for England is the return of talisman Ben Stokes for this series. He sat out the ODIs after another fine Test series.
Dawid Malan is also in the T20 squad and will be keen to show what he can do if he gets an opportunity.
The visitors remain without pace bowler Jofra Archer due to an elbow injury. His place in the squad will be covered by Saquib Mahmood. The return of Tom Curran also bolsters England’s batting and bowling options.
South Africa might be tempted to hand opportunities to uncapped duo Sisanda Magala and Pite van Biljon. Both will be keen to earn a world cup place.
The home side have left out Janneman Malan from their squad but Dale Steyn returns to boost their bowling attack.
South Africa vs England 1st T20I – Betting Tips and Prediction
The return of Ben Stokes added to England’s already powerful batting line-up could all prove too much for South Africa.
Eoin Morgan’s men will be keen to add the T20 World Cup to their ODI equivalent and could look to lay down an early marker here.
The batting and bowling options offered lower down the order from the Curran brothers, Moeen Ali and Mark Wood could also prove decisive.
South Africa have already shown their resilience at times and will be hoping their inexperience won’t hinder them too much.
Bairstow to fire with the bat for England
Jonny Bairstow looked in the mood for runs in the final ODI clash against South Africa and can continue that here.
He raced to 43 off 23 balls before a soft dismissal when playing a Sipamla delivery to Phehlukwayo at midwicket.
However, when he’s in that sort of form he can be devastating at the top of the order and will be keen to continue where he left off.
He is priced at 4.33 (10/3) by Betway to be England’s top run-scorer.
The price of 9/1 about the returning Ben Stokes would have to be tempting, but that could well reflect his chances of playing in Buffalo Park.
Hendricks to cause more problems for the visitors.
Beuran Hendricks bowled brilliantly in the final ODI to eventually claim three wickets.
His accuracy could have brought more wickets and he looks a good bet to be South Africa’s best bowler in the first T20I.
Hendricks’ price of 7.50 (13/2) with Betway to take the most wickets for his side looks far too big.
Best Bet: Beuran Hendricks to be South Africa’s top bowler at 7.50 (13/2) with Betway.
February 12, 2020 
16:00 
