South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first against England
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‘Jason Roy is a complete package’ – Sangakkara
South Africa have won the toss and chosen to bat in the first T20I against England at the Ageas Bowl.
There are two debutants in the South Africa side, with all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius (who has played 10 ODIs) and left-arm leg-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (who has played Test and ODI cricket) both winning their first T20 caps.
Mason Crane, the legspinner, is also making his international debut for England. Crane’s nerves may be calmed a little by the fact he is playing on his home ground, though it is only a few weeks since he was unable to gain a place in the Hampshire side in first-class cricket.
England are currently No. 3 in the ICC’s rankings of IT20 teams, with South Africa ranked No. 6. Both squads contain new faces, however, with a host of players being rested. Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy and Kagiso Rabada have all been rested by South Africa with the Test series in mind, while Faf du Plessis is in South Africa to attend the birth of his first child.
England have rested Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Adil Rashid, while Moeen Ali is playing Championship cricket for Worcestershire. In their place, Jonny Bairstow is expected to have an opportunity to bat at No. 3, while Chris Jordan returns as a death bowler and Liam Dawson plays as a spinning allrounder on his home track.
George Dobell is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo