In a nail-biting T20 World Cup Super Eight match at the Daren Sammy ground in Gros Islet, St Lucia, England fell agonisingly short against South Africa, losing by seven runs.

Chasing 164, England was in deep trouble at 61 for four after 10 overs. However, Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone ignited hopes with a blistering assault, smashing 52 runs in three overs at one stage.

The turning point came in the 17th over, when Ottniel Baartman’s full tosses allowed Livingstone to hit three consecutive boundaries. But with 25 needed from 18 balls, Kagiso Rabada dismissed Livingstone for 33 off 17 in an over that cost South Africa just four runs. Marco Jansen’s tight penultimate over followed, leaving England needing 14 off the final six balls.

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Brook, having reached his first T20 World Cup fifty, aimed for an early boundary off Anrich Nortje, but Aiden Markram’s stunning catch at mid-off dashed England’s hopes. The final deliveries yielded just six runs, sealing South Africa’s unbeaten run in this tournament.

Keshav Maharaj’s masterful two for 25 on a deceptively slow pitch set the stage. Also South African quicks realised early that variations in pace were essential, which proved vital.

England, not yet out, must now secure a big win against the USA and hope the Net Run Rate works in its favour if West Indies prevails in its matches.

Earlier, England’s decision to bowl first in the first day-game here paid off. Reece Topley and Moeen Ali sought to leverage their favourable matchups against Quinton de Kock (65 off 38 balls). De Kock, initially restrained, broke free against Moeen with consecutive boundaries and then dominated Jofra Archer, hitting three sixes in a 21-run over. Despite de Kock’s rapid half-century, he received little support, and England controlled the game for 14 overs.

Archer, redeeming himself later, gave away just eight runs in his final over, capturing two wickets. England’s spinners excelled, maintaining an economy rate of 6.42 runs per over, while the seamers, who adjusted to slower deliveries, conceded 8.84 per over.

Buttler shone behind the stumps, taking a leaping one-handed catch to dismiss De Kock and effecting a direct-hit to run out Heinrich Klaasen. David Miller’s 43 off 28 helped South Africa post a challenging total, which proved enough in the end.