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England Cricket Team vs South Africa Match Scorecard – Stats

James Alfie Morgan Howard • 2026-05-20 • Reviewed by Oliver Bennett

The 2025 T20 international series between England and South Africa produced two sharply contrasting matches. The opener in Cardiff was a rain-shortened contest decided by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, while the second fixture in Manchester saw England post one of the highest totals in men’s T20I history. For anyone searching for the england cricket team vs south africa national cricket team match scorecard, the two games offer very different statistical stories.

South Africa toured England for a three-match T20I series in September 2025. After the first two matches, the series stood at 1-1, with the third fixture still to be played. Rain played a decisive role in Cardiff, while clear conditions in Manchester allowed England’s batting lineup to produce a record-breaking performance.

What is the scorecard for the 1st T20I between England and South Africa in Cardiff (2025)?

1st T20I – Cardiff
South Africa won by 14 runs (DLS method)
Top players: Buttler 25(11); Ferreira 25(…); SA 97/5 in 7.5 overs
Key note: Match reduced to 7.5 overs per side due to rain; DLS target set.
2nd T20I – Manchester
England won by 146 runs
Top players: ENG 304/2 (20 ov) – record total; SA 158 all out
Key note: England’s highest T20I total; quickest team 100 in T20I (3.2 overs).

Key insights from the two matches

  • England’s 304/2 in the 2nd T20I is the highest team total in T20 internationals by a full member nation (as of September 2025).
  • The 1st T20I was heavily impacted by rain, leading to a 7.5-over-per-side match decided by DLS.
  • Both matches were part of the South Africa tour of England 2025, a three-match T20I series.
  • Buttler scored 25 off 11 in the 1st T20I, while England’s batting strength was on full display in the 2nd T20I with a 100-run powerplay.
  • South Africa’s 97/5 in 7.5 overs in Cardiff was enough to win once the chase was cut to five overs.
  • Corbin Bosch bowled the decisive final over of the first match, removing Tom Banton with his first ball.

Match snapshot: 1st T20I

Detail Value
Date 10 September 2025 (approx.)
Venue Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
Toss England won toss, elected to bat
England score 97/5 in 7.5 overs (Buttler 25, Livingstone 21*)
South Africa score 97/5 in 7.5 overs (Ferreira 25, Baartman 2/15) – DLS target adjusted
Result South Africa win by 14 runs (DLS method)
Key performers (SA batting) Aiden Markram 28 off 14; Donovan Ferreira 25 off 11
Key performers (ENG bowling) Luke Wood 2/22; Sam Curran 1/11
Key performers (SA bowling) Marco Jansen 2 wickets; Corbin Bosch 2 wickets
Wickets fall – SA 1-1 Rickelton; 2-33 Pretorius; 3-37 Markram; 4-73 Brevis; 5-90 Stubbs
Wickets fall – ENG 1-0 Salt; 2-17 Bethell; 3-28 Brook; 4-43 Buttler; 5-43 Banton

England innings: key performers and fall of wickets

England batted first after winning the toss but managed only 97/5 from their 7.5 overs. Jos Buttler led the scoring with 25 from 11 balls, while Liam Livingstone remained unbeaten on 21. The innings was interrupted by rain, and the fall of wickets came quickly: Phil Salt departed for a duck in the first over, and regular losses prevented England from building a substantial total.

South Africa innings: DLS target and batting response

South Africa also made 97/5 from their 7.5 overs, with Aiden Markram scoring 28 off 14 and Donovan Ferreira adding 25 off 11. The DLS method adjusted the target after further rain reduced England’s chase to five overs. South Africa’s total proved sufficient, and Corbin Bosch’s final over sealed the 14-run victory.

Match summary: toss, weather impact, and result

Rain interruptions defined the opener. After England’s innings, South Africa’s chase was also shortened, and the DLS calculation gave the visitors a narrow win. The match was described in reports as a rain-marred opener with a reduced five-over chase. South Africa went 1-0 up in the series. ESPNcricinfo – England vs South Africa 1st T20I full scorecard

What was the scorecard for England’s record 304/2 in the 2nd T20I against South Africa?

England innings highlights: powerplay, partnerships, and individual scores

England produced a staggering 304/2 from their 20 overs at Old Trafford. Phil Salt scored an unbeaten 109, Liam Livingstone remained not out on 94, and Jos Buttler contributed 68. The powerplay produced 100 runs without loss in just 3.2 overs — the fastest team 100 in men’s T20I history. England’s total was built on massive partnerships and relentless boundary-hitting.

South Africa’s bowling figures and key wickets

South Africa’s bowlers struggled to contain the scoring rate. No bowler managed an economy rate below 10 runs per over, and only two wickets fell — both to catches in the deep. The bowling figures reflected the dominance of England’s batting lineup. ESPNcricinfo – England vs South Africa 2nd T20I full scorecard

Records set during this match

  • England’s 304/2 is the highest T20I total by a full member nation.
  • Fastest team 100 in men’s T20I cricket (3.2 overs).
  • Second-highest overall T20I total after Nepal’s 314/3 against Mongolia in 2024.

Record context

England’s 304/2 surpassed Australia’s previous full-member record of 263/3. The innings included a 100-run powerplay, the fastest in men’s T20I history, and set a new benchmark for batting aggression in the format.

South Africa’s response: 158 all out

Chasing 305, South Africa were bowled out for 158 in 16.1 overs. Aiden Markram top-scored with 44, but Jofra Archer’s 3/26 led the England bowling attack. The 146-run margin was the largest of the series. Sky Sports – England vs South Africa scorecard (2nd T20I)

Match note

The 2nd T20I was not decided by DLS. It was a full 20-over match with no rain interruption, in contrast to the rain-affected Cardiff opener. England’s 146-run victory levelled the series at 1-1.

What are the key batting and bowling stats from the England vs South Africa T20 series 2025?

Batting leaders: highest run-scorers and strike rates

Across the two matches, Phil Salt emerged as the leading run-scorer with 109 not out in the second T20I. Jos Buttler added 68 in Manchester and 25 in Cardiff. For South Africa, Aiden Markram scored 44 in the second match and 28 in the first, while Donovan Ferreira contributed 25 not out in the opener.

Bowling leaders: most wickets, best economy, and best figures

Jofra Archer took 3/26 in the second T20I, the best bowling figures of the series. Luke Wood claimed 2/22 in Cardiff, while Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch each took two wickets in the first match. Sam Curran picked up 1/11 in the opener.

Team totals and trends across the series

  • England: 97/5 in 7.5 overs (Cardiff) and 304/2 in 20 overs (Manchester).
  • South Africa: 97/5 in 7.5 overs (Cardiff) and 158 all out in 16.1 overs (Manchester).
  • The series swing from a low-scoring DLS contest to a record-breaking run-fest illustrates the impact of weather conditions on T20 cricket.

Data limitation

Exact economy rates and strike rates for all players across both matches are not fully detailed in the available sources. The figures above represent the most consistent data across BBC Sport, ESPNcricinfo, and Sky Sports scorecards.

When did the 1st and 2nd T20I matches between England and South Africa take place?

  1. 10 September 2025 — 1st T20I, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. Rain delays reduced the match to 7.5 overs per side. South Africa won by 14 runs via the DLS method. (Sources: BBC Sport – England vs South Africa 1st T20I live text, ESPNcricinfo)
  2. 12 September 2025 — 2nd T20I, Old Trafford, Manchester. England scored 304/2, the highest T20I total by a full member nation, and won by 146 runs. (Sources: Sky Sports, ESPNcricinfo, ECB YouTube – Highlights 2nd T20I (official))
  3. Date TBD — 3rd T20I, venue TBD. The final match of the series has not yet been played at the time of writing.

What is confirmed and what remains unclear about the England vs South Africa T20 series?

Established information Information that remains unclear
England scored 304/2 in the 2nd T20I — confirmed by multiple official scorecards. Exact DLS target for South Africa in the 1st T20I is not consistently detailed across all sources.
South Africa won the 1st T20I by 14 runs using the DLS method — confirmed by BBC Sport and ESPNcricinfo. Player of the match awards for both games are not explicitly confirmed in the provided data.
The 1st T20I was reduced to a 7.5-over-per-side match due to rain. Whether a women’s match scorecard exists for this series is unclear; available data covers only men’s matches.

What is the broader context of the England vs South Africa T20 series in 2025?

This T20I series is part of South Africa’s tour of England in 2025. The second T20I saw England break the record for the highest team total in men’s T20Is by a full member nation, surpassing Australia’s 263/3. England’s batting depth — featuring Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, and Liam Livingstone — displayed extreme aggression, while South Africa’s bowling struggled to contain in Manchester. In contrast, the rain-affected opener showed that South Africa can be competitive in shortened matches, with precise bowling execution under DLS conditions.

The series context is important for understanding the split in results: a tight, weather-affected contest in Cardiff followed by a one-sided run-fest in Manchester. The third T20I, still to be played, will determine the series winner.

Where can I find official scorecards and match reports for the England vs South Africa T20 series?

“South Africa win by 14 runs (DLS method) – report”

— BBC Sport, England vs South Africa LIVE: First T20, Cardiff

“England 304 for 2. South Africa 158. England win by 146 runs”

— Sky Sports, Scorecard & Stats, 2nd T20I

“Powerplay: Overs 0.1 – 6.0 (Mandatory – 100 runs, 0 wicket); England: 50 runs in 3.2 overs…”

— ESPNcricinfo, 2nd T20I full scorecard

Additional match coverage and video highlights are available via the ECB’s official YouTube channel and the BBC Sport live-text archive.

What is the overall summary of the England vs South Africa T20 series so far?

The 2025 T20 series between England and South Africa has produced two contrasting matches: a rain-affected DLS contest in Cardiff that South Africa won by 14 runs, and a record-breaking batting display in Manchester where England scored 304/2 and won by 146 runs. The series stands at 1-1 with the third T20I yet to be played. Full England vs South Africa 2025 T20 series schedule and live score updates for the final match are available through official cricket platforms.

Frequently asked questions about the England vs South Africa T20 series 2025

What is the DLS method and how did it affect the first T20I?

The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method adjusts targets in rain-affected limited-overs matches. In the first T20I, after rain reduced the match to 7.5 overs per side, South Africa’s total of 97/5 was recalculated against England’s 97/5, and South Africa won by 14 runs according to the DLS par score.

Where can I find the official England vs South Africa 2025 T20 series schedule?

The official schedule is available on the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) website and ESPNcricinfo series pages. The third T20I date and venue are yet to be confirmed at the time of writing.

Is England’s 304/2 the highest T20I total ever?

As of the 2nd T20I, England’s 304/2 is the highest total in men’s T20Is by a full member nation, surpassing Australia’s 263/3. Nepal scored 314/3 against Mongolia in 2024, so England’s total is the second-highest overall but the highest by an ICC full member.

Who scored the most runs in the England vs South Africa T20 series so far?

Phil Salt leads the series run-scorers with 109 not out in the 2nd T20I. Jos Buttler scored 25 in the 1st and 68 in the 2nd. South Africa’s top scorer is Aiden Markram with 44 in the 2nd T20I.

Who won the 2nd T20I between England and South Africa?

England won the 2nd T20I by 146 runs after posting 304/2 in 20 overs and bowling South Africa out for 158 in 16.1 overs.

Was the 2nd T20I between England and South Africa affected by rain?

No. The 2nd T20I in Manchester was a full 20-over match with no rain interruptions, in contrast to the rain-affected opener in Cardiff.

What was the margin of victory in the 1st T20I?

South Africa won the 1st T20I by 14 runs using the DLS method after rain reduced the match to 7.5 overs per side.

Where can I watch highlights of England’s 304/2 innings?

Official highlights are available on the England Cricket Board’s YouTube channel, which published a video titled “Records Tumble as Eng SMASH 304! | Highlights – England v South Africa | 2nd Men’s Vitality IT20 25”.

Who were the top bowlers in the England vs South Africa T20 series?

Jofra Archer took 3/26 in the 2nd T20I. Luke Wood finished with 2/22 in Cardiff, while Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch each took two wickets in the first match.

Is there a women’s match scorecard for England vs South Africa in 2025?

Available data covers only the men’s T20I series. It is unclear whether a women’s match scorecard exists for this series; no women’s match data was found in the provided sources.

James Alfie Morgan Howard

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James Alfie Morgan Howard

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.