@OfficialCSA
Mark Boucher’s side will have a chance to make amends on Thursday when they take on England in the second T20 International in Cardiff.
The home side won the opening encounter at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol on Wednesday, thanks to a swashbuckling 90 off 53 balls by Jonny Bairstow, with Moeen Ali scoring England’s fast T20 50 off just 18 balls.
For the visitors though, a thrilling first international innings of 72 from 28 balls by Tristan Stubbs was not enough for the Proteas who slipped to a 41-run defeat in the opening T20 International of their three-match series.
South Africa lost key wickets early on in the chase with only Reeza Hendricks, with a knock of 57 off 33 balls, shining as they looked to be heading for a big defeat.
But Stubbs, who debuted against India in the previous T20 series but did not bat, smashed eight sixes and two fours, recording the second quickest T20 International half-century for South Africa.
Poor fielding did not help the South African's cause, as ‘red-hot’ Jonny Bairstow was dropped more than once in the field. Lungi Ngidi however had a good return of five for 39, his maiden career five-wicket haul.
The two teams meet in Cardiff on Thursday with the final T20I on Sunday.
