ENG vs SA: Khaya Zondo's error in judging the ball during a practice match costs him his wicket at a crucial point

In preparation for their three-game Test series against England, which starts on August 17, Team South Africa is presently playing a warm-up match against the England Lions. South Africa chose to bat after winning the toss in the four-day match. At No. 7, Khaya Zondo made a strong impression for South Africa by playing an important 86-run knock.

But it was a terrible mistake of judgment that cost him his precious wicket. Pacer Sam Cook pitched the ball, early on the second day of the match, just outside off. Although Zondo attempted to let the ball go, it continued to come in at an angle and clobbered the off-stump. He tried to leave the ball, but an error in judging the delivery cost his side his wicket.

With his knock of 86 runs, Zondo ended up as the leading run-scorer for South Africa. With a 75-run knock, Rassie van der Dussen also played well. Then, down the order, Kyle Verreynne (62) and Marco Jansen (54*) gave South Africa a boost, enabling them to post a total of 433.

As the game progressed, Craig Overton collected five wickets and finished with 5/74 for England Lions. The Lions ended Day 2 with a 279/3 score. Dan Lawrence was dismissed by Duanne Olivier on 97 after coming very close to a century. On 64*, Harry Brook remained unbeaten to end the day.

The three Test matches between South Africa and England will be very important in terms of the World Test Championship standings. Currently, South Africa lead the table, with England in seventh place. Though the Proteas are the table toppers, the English team is in great form under the leadership of Ben Stokes and the mentorship of Brendon McCullum.

Ever since the duo took their respective roles in the red-ball format, England have not lost a single Test match. They first defeated the reigning World Test Champions New Zealand in a series whitewash by 3-0, and then defeated India in the rescheduled fifth Test to level the long-due series at 2-2.

Meanwhile, South Africa got the better of England in the white-ball format. The two teams faced off in a three-match ODI series and played as many T20Is. While the 50-over series was tied at 1-1 because of the final game being washed out, the Proteas won the T20I series by 2-1.