England v South Africa 1st T20I Live and Preview

England and South Africa head off in a three-match T20 series following the exchanges over the summer in tests and ODIs.

Both teams will look to use the series as an opportunity to prepare for the ICC World Twenty20.

England have been surrounded by troubles off the field as well as a difficult time on it. They will be determined to overcome these as they look to finalize their plans ahead of their title defence in Sri Lanka.

Stuart Broad, the captain, is back in the squad after sitting out the one-dayers owing to poor form.

Graeme Swann is another key player who stages a comeback in the team following indifferent form through the summer. The selectors have also decided to call up James Anderson as Steven Finn is under an injury shadow.

One player who will be looking to make the most of the series would be Ravi Bopara who has had a troublesome summer but is expected to bat at the pivotal number three spot in the batting order.

South Africa have been in dominating form lately as the team climbed to number one ranking, albeit briefly, in all formats of the game.

They pose a serious threat ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 and will be looking to gain some momentum going into the tournament.

Jacques Kallis had been instrumental in Kolkata Knight Riders’ triumph this season in the IPL and he will be looking to make a mark upon returning to the national side.

The visitors will be hoping that Hashim Amla continues to fire runs with his bat after having scored in excess of 800 runs on the tour already.

The Morkel brothers will be crucial with the ball after impressing in several T20 leagues around the world.

The match starts at 2.30pm local time at Chester-le-Street in Durham.