ENG vs SA Pitch Report & Weather Update: England will meet South Africa in the 1st T20I match of the South Africa tour of England 2025 at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, on 10th September at 23:00 IST.
England enters the contest looking to recover after a series of mixed results in white-ball cricket. In contrast, South Africa arrives with increased confidence, bolstered by their recent successes in Test and ODI formats. The conditions in Cardiff will be crucial in influencing the outcome of this thrilling matchup.
Here’s a detailed look at the ENG vs SA pitch report and weather forecast for this crucial game.
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff Pitch Report – ENG vs SA 1st T20I
The surface at Sophia Gardens is known for its balance, providing challenges for both batters and bowlers. The short straight boundaries make it risky for bowlers to stray from their lengths, but disciplined bowling can still yield rewards.
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Batting Conditions: Moderate scoring pitch. A par score of 190–200 is expected. Batters who time the ball well will get good value for shots.
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Pace Bowling: The surface is slightly two-paced. Pacers need to rely on variations such as cutters and slower balls to succeed.
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Spin Bowling: Spinners get average turn but can be effective if they bowl into the pitch. Keshav Maharaj and Rehan Ahmed could play important roles.
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Average 1st Innings Score: Around 190 runs in the last few T20Is at this venue.
Toss Prediction: Teams prefer bowling first here. Out of the last 10 T20Is at Sophia Gardens, 7 have been won by the chasing side
ENG vs SA Weather Forecast – Providence, Guyana
The weather forecast for Cardiff suggests a cloudy evening with mild temperatures. While there is a small chance of light showers, conditions should allow for a full match.
| Time (Local) | Temperature | Rain Chances | Wind Speed | Wind Direction | Cloud Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 hrs | 17°C | 0 mm | 3.4 km/h | ESE | 99% |
| 15:00 hrs | 17°C | 1.2 mm | 4.9 km/h | S | 100% |
| 18:00 hrs | 14°C | 0.5 mm | 5.6 km/h | SSE | 92% |
| 21:00 hrs | 12°C | 9.8 mm | 4.9 km/h | W | 85% |
What Conditions Suggest – ENG vs SA South Africa tour of England 2025
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If England bats first, they will look to post 190+ to stay competitive.
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South Africa’s batting lineup, with Markram, Miller, and Brevis, must counter England’s pace attack led by Jofra Archer and Saqib Mahmood.
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Spinners could play a holding role, but with short straight boundaries, they need to be precise.
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Teams chasing have the advantage, so the toss could be crucial in determining the winner.
Read Also: ENG vs SA Head-to-Head Records in T20Is
