South Africa took the top spot at the points table in Super 8 Group 1 of T20 World Cup 2024 after beating England by seven runs at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia.
The Proteas are undefeated in the competition with six straight wins.
Meanwhile, England remain at the second in Group 1 since they defeated host West Indies in their first game.
Here are the points table of both the Super 8 groups
T20 World Cup Super 8 points table
Group 1
Group 2
Earlier, Quinton de Kock gave a flying start to South Africa after being put into bat first by England. The wicketkeeper-batter slammed a 22-ball fifty, the joint-fastest of the ongoing competition.
Meanwhile, Reeza Hendricks (19 off 25 balls) couldn't build on his slow start. He was the first batter to be dismissed by leg-spinner Adil Rashid.
De Kock departed due to England skipper Jos Buttler's acrobatic catch. He made a 38-ball 65 with the help of eight boundaries.
The defending champions returned to the game with Buttler once again contributing but this time with a run out at the non-striker's end to remove Heinrich Klassen (9 off 13 balls).
Meanwhile, Rashid removed skipper Aiden Markram (1 off 2 balls). David Miller took the charge in the later part, scoring a crucial 28-ball 43.
The Proteas managed 163/6 in their 20 overs. Pacer Jofra Archer was the top bowler for England, bagging figures of 3/40.
England had a slow start to the run chase after their last match performer Phil Salt (11 off 8 balls) went back in the second over. Jos Buttler (17 off 20 balls) and Jonny Bairstow (16 off 20 balls ) steadied but lost wickets at the crucial stages.
Keshav Maharaj had the better of both the batters. Moeen Ali (9 off 10 balls)also couldn't put the pressure as the run rate went creeping. He tried to play a big shot but was removed by Ottneil Baartman.
England came back in the chase with Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone forming a crucial stand of 78 runs. Brook took on the South African bowlers while Livingstone attacked in patches.
Livingstone managed 17-ball 33 before being dismissed by Kagiso Rabada
Meanwhile, Brook reached to his first T20 World Cup fifty but couldn't finish the chase as he departed courtesy of a brilliant catch by skipper Aiden Markram. He made 37-ball 53 runs. The defending champions were restricted to 156/6.
Rabada and Maharaj bagged two wickets each for the Proteas.
