ENG vs SA 2025, 3rd T20I Review: Nottingham rain washes out series-decider

Published - 14 Sept 2025, 22:32 IST | Updated - 14 Sept 2025, 22:43 IST

The third and final T20I between England and South Africa was abandoned without a toss due to persistent rain, resulting in the series ending in a 1-1 draw as both sides shared the trophy after an evenly contested series.

The series opener had already been affected by rain. England failed to chase down a modest target, handing South Africa a 14-run victory (DLS) in Cardiff. However, the hosts bounced back strongly in the second match in Manchester, producing a record-breaking performance as they posted the highest-ever total (304/2) by a full-member nation in T20Is and went on to hand South Africa their biggest defeat (146 runs) in the format’s history.

The decider in Nottingham, however, never commenced as rain lashed the venue throughout. After the abandonment, England skipper Harry Brook reflected positively on his captaincy stint, admitting he gained plenty of confidence and enjoyed the leadership experience.

“Amazing game last one. Awesome. We couldn't play today, such a shame. Lots of confidence going forward. Completely believe in Salt and Jos. Won't be the only time we will get 300. Good fun. First summer as captain. Good group. Good collective group. Going for a holiday before the winter,” said Brook in the post-match presentation.

On the other hand, South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram said his team had taken valuable lessons from the series and were heading in the right direction ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.

“Tough one. Quick one the first game. In the second game, we were completely outplayed. Quite a bit. You have plans. On the day you need to be adaptable. From Australia to this, a lot of lessons. We are tracking towards the WC. Good conversation amongst the group. Never take it for granted. You have to go back to your skill sets and improve. You want to win. Today was an exciting opportunity. We were excited but then the weather was like this and we couldn't do much about it. We hit the road after 3-4 weeks of rest," said Markram.

Earlier in the tour, South Africa had edged out England in the ODI series 2-1, showcasing their strength in the 50-over format. In the T20Is, Phil Salt stood out with the bat and was named Player of the Series for his impactful performances.