After a thrilling ODI series between the two, it was the time for the T20I series between England and South Africa, and boy, what a start it was. In the 1st T20I at Bristol itself, we saw some fireworks which would’ve really set the tone for the rest of the series. England after losing two quick wickets started smashing the ball to every corner of the ground.
Leading the attack was obviously the inform Jonny Bairstow who got past fifty in no time but while he was going well, there was a smooth little cameo taking place at the other end. It was all-rounder Moeen Ali who took the game away from South Africa as he smashed boundary after boundary, getting 52(18) in a whirlwind innings.
Moeen Ali gets England’s fastest T20I fifty
He got to the milestone of fifty in just 16 balls which became the fastest fifty in England’s T20I history, and that’s quite an achievement in a squad that has a lot of big hitters. Ali hit 2 fours and 6 sixes in this knock and while everyone was enjoying Bairstow’s innings, no one really noticed Ali speed along at one end.
Bairstow was lucky as he had four catches dropped in the boundary but Moeen never gave the visitors any chances to get him. Eventually after getting to the milestone though. After putting up a partnership of 106 runs for the fourth wicket, Ali was finally dismissed with the score at 218/4 with a couple of more overs left to continue the destruction.
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he was amazing in this six hitting fest for England as they moved towards their highest T20I score. It was absolute carnage from these two and eventually, Ali was dismissed on over 17.5, with Lungi Ngidi getting him after initially conceding 17 runs off the first three balls of the over. As for Bairstow, he continued his merry way after Ali’s dismissal as well.
After there were drops galore, Rilee Rossouw finally managed to hold on to one in the final over as Jonny Bairstow was caught in the deep to be dismissed for 90(53), as he tried to get to a T20I century. England ended with 234/6 and they won’t be complaining after an innings of fantastic hitting from almost all their batsmen.
Moeen Ali carnage against South Africa. pic.twitter.com/nBf9gYN0yR
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 27, 2022
And while there was complete punishment for all the SA bowlers, spare a thought for Lungi Ngidi who actually completed a 5-fer. He ended with 5/39 but we’re sure he was in no mood to celebrate this 5-wicket haul. England put up 86 runs in the final five overs and that includes an over of 33 runs against Andile Phehlukwayo. Great game and we’re waiting to see what South Africa has in store for the chase!
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