Cricket betting tips: England v South Africa second T20I predictions, preview and best bets

Cricket fans are in for a gripping Friday evening as England and South Africa resume their battle in the second T20I of this tightly contested series. With the match set to begin at 6.30pm at Old Trafford, there’s plenty of anticipation around whether England can bounce back and prevent South Africa from wrapping up the series early. After Wednesday’s rain-curtailed contest in Cardiff ended in farcical fashion, attention now turns to Manchester, where better weather—though still unpredictable—should allow for a more complete showdown. Read on to find a detailed preview and the best bet recommendation for this clash, and don’t forget to take advantage of the selected betting offers listed below to maximise your betting value.

Cricket betting tips: England v South Africa second T20I predictions

Is Momentum Swinging Towards the Hosts or Will the Proteas Seal the Series?

• Donovan Ferreira has cleared the ropes every 5.25 balls on average across the last two editions of The Hundred.
• Jos Buttler posted scores of 61, 62 not out and 25 in his last three limited-overs innings against South Africa.
• The average first-innings score at Old Trafford across the last 30 T20 matches is 169, with no clear toss bias.

Our Best Bet

The visitors edged the first T20I by 14 runs under the DLS method, maintaining their stronghold in the format against England with a fourth consecutive victory. That result followed their 2-1 success in the ODI series, meaning South Africa are brimming with confidence heading into this fixture. England, meanwhile, will be desperate to deliver a more cohesive performance in front of a home crowd, especially as Old Trafford has historically lent itself to high-scoring encounters when rain stays away.

In terms of team news, England could welcome back Jofra Archer, who was rested due to damp outfield conditions in Cardiff. His pace and bounce could prove decisive, especially with the South Africans dealing with mounting injury concerns. Spinner Keshav Maharaj has been sidelined with a groin issue, while paceman Lungi Ngidi is already out of the series. That leaves the Proteas a bit light on spin options, potentially shifting the balance if the pitch stays dry.

With attacking batters on both sides and a track that generally supports stroke play, this promises to be a more engaging and telling contest than Wednesday’s rain-ruined affair. The forecast still holds some threat of disruption, particularly later in the evening, but hopes remain that we’ll see enough cricket to draw firm conclusions this time around.

Best Bet: Jos Buttler to Be Top England Runscorer @ 3/1

Here at BettingTips4You, we stick to one standout prediction per match, as we believe in quality over quantity. This approach not only keeps things simple for our readers but also makes our selections easier to track and evaluate. Today’s Best Bet focuses on England’s explosive opener: Jos Buttler to be the Top Runscorer for England at 3/1.

Why Jos Buttler Is Worth Backing Today

There’s little doubt that Jos Buttler comes into this second T20I in exceptional form. His 11-ball 25 in Cardiff stood out amid England’s scrambled chase, with the rest of the side unable to get out of the blocks. That brief yet authoritative innings followed scores of 61 and 62 not out in the concluding ODIs against South Africa, suggesting a player fully in rhythm and seeing the ball beautifully.

Crucially, Buttler will be opening the batting again, which maximises his opportunity to capitalise on the powerplay. His deep familiarity with the Old Trafford surface—where he plays domestic cricket for Manchester Originals—gives him an additional edge. In The Hundred this summer, Buttler recorded three half-centuries in eight appearances, averaging over 40 and striking cleanly throughout.

Another key factor is the Proteas’ injury-hit bowling unit. With no Keshav Maharaj and the absence of Lungi Ngidi, South Africa lack their usual depth, particularly in terms of variation and control during the middle overs. Kagiso Rabada remains a threat, but the support cast is largely unproven at this level, and Buttler’s technique and temperament put him in a strong position to dominate once more.

With South Africa’s bowlers struggling to plug gaps, and England looking to draw level in the series, Buttler’s role becomes even more pivotal. At 3/1, his price offers value given his recent form and the favourable conditions under which he’ll be batting.

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