Wisden
1st Twenty20 International

England v South Africa, 2012

Sam Peters

At Chester-le-Street, September 8. South Africa won by seven wickets. Toss: South Africa. Twenty20 international debut: F. du Plessis.

England delivered another inept batting display. Kieswetter and Hales gave them fleeting hope with a bustling opening stand of 27 before Hales ran himself out, at which point the wheels came off. Bopara's dismal finish to the summer was complete when he was caught at slip off Steyn for six, leaving him with 28 international runs from five innings since returning from his self-imposed sabbatical; he was dropped for the next two games. From 85 for seven, Swann and Broad added a quick 33. And South Africa were tottering a touch at 29 for three, with Hashim Amla rested. But Kallis - back in the side after holidaying in New York during the one-day series - and Duminy calmed nerves in a well-paced, undefeated stand of 90.

Man of the Match: D. W. Steyn. Attendance: 8,042.

© John Wisden & Co.