With the first ODI between England and South Africa ahead of us, this match will feature two top cricketing nations fighting for a chance to improve on their rankings in white-ball formats. Seeing that this series’ home side currently ranks 8th in 50/50 cricket, they are hoping to come back from a rough India series and ICC Champions Trophy performance. Having won one 3-0 against West Indies a couple months ago, it’s clear that the Englishmen want to help their young crew join forces with veteran stars to create a new generation. Still missing key bowlers like Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson, who just recently pulled his hamstring, it’s time for a bunch of these pieces fresh from domestic cricket to show up.
Captain Harry Brook will be tasked with a huge job in this match after he has shown tremendous grit and vocal leadership since taking over from Jos Butler. For this Proteas unit, they are just coming off a massive 2-1 series win against the mighty Aussies and are filled with a boatload of confidence. Once again, feeling like they have heavily rejuvenated themselves after winning their first ICC trophy, this group has started gaining an edge over many big-playing nations so far. As Kagiso Rabada might miss yet another match since he was already ruled out for the last couple of ODI’s last series, their depth will play a huge factor in these matches. Temba Bavuma is going to lead the way as one of the more silent, but motivating captains who really defeated all odds against him.
England: Top and Middle Order Will Be Really Scary For Any Bowlers To Face
One thing that is clear about this England side is that their first half of batsmen are real threats and could potentially win them any game. Although Phil Salt will no longer open since he wasn’t selected for this series, Jaime Smith could potentially play his position as one of the most powerful players. Having just a 21.50 average before this match, there has been clear change in his batting philosophy during recent matches, which allowed him to score 64 runs against West Indies in June. Opposite him is potentially one of the world’s best all-format batsmen in lefty Ben Duckett, as he’s scored 476 runs at an average of 52.89 in his last 9 innings. Known for mixing power with pure class, he continues batting deep into innings and giving opposing bowlers a lot to think about since he can attack all parts of the ground.
At first down, legendary batsman Joe Root will be back in action and continue building on his historic 7,000+ runs mark. With full precision and footwork, he has always been an impossible piece to get out, while also having shown some aggressive shot-making lately. Jos Butler will come in right after him to produce high-level scores as well and really expand on that 39.06 average. Someone who has brute strength, plus shown ability to hit clean strokes, he’s amassed 5,274 runs in this format, while also guiding them to some key victories. As Ben Stokes has been ruled out for this series because of a muscle tear, Harry Brook will be another strong right-handed option as someone who’s looking to translate his test prowess into ODI cricket. Nearing 1,000 runs in this format, he’s known for hitting very fast and always being over a 100 strike rate while providing over 35 runs nearly every match. Jacob Bethell will try playing fluently as a left-handed batsman, while having half-century hitting potential down the order with Will Jacks and Jamie Overton closing out this side’s middle-order.
England: Will This Bowling Attack Redeem Itself After Showing Weakness In Prior Matches?
The biggest question for England is how their bowlers will fare because that has been a massive part of what has let them down lately. Jofra Archer finally makes his return as a main pacer on this side and should be lethal with his bouncers plus speed again. Having taken 54 wickets in just 31 matches, he’s been electrifying whenever been called upon and can single-handedly change matches with an economy lower than 5.25. With Archer’s return, the English side will get a ton of firepower back, while Jamie Overton will come in from the same side to bowl at that unique 6-foot-5 height. Whenever Overton hits the right line, it becomes impossible for batsmen to hit, but the main thing for him will be consistency once again.
Sonny Baker is someone this side is extremely excited about since he’s got a unique swing ability to confuse batsmen and create clean-bowled or catching opportunities. Someone whose taken 22 wickets in just 7 first-class matches, his debut could be a surprise element that this England side may need to be even more dominant. Talking about spinners, Adil Rashid will lead that attack as he’s taken 224 wickets during 152 ODIs and really knows how to create turn from both sides. Having developed amazing LBW opportunities throughout his long career, it’s expected that he finishes his full 10 overs, while Will Jacks and Joe Root should be great part-time options.
South Africa: Batting Lineup Has Become Even Deeper With Major Players Returning
This Proteas side started showing what their new look ODI side could look like last series, with Heinrich Klaasen having retired earlier this year. Opener Aiden Markram has continued being a very fierce player under pressure and shown great touch after hitting 82 runs against Australia in their first match. With him being a threat from the right side for this pair, their left-handed batsmen will be Ryan Rickleton, whose struggled to get into form during 50/50 innings. This could be a series where he could create a mismatch and attack bowlers coming in as right-handed pieces to build on a 32.25 average, plus become consistent. One-down, the masterful Matthew Breetzke will hope to continue displaying his tremendous skill as he’s scored 378 runs during first 4 innings. Breaking several records, it really is important for South Africa to get him going because if him and Temba Bavuma create a partnership, it will be unbreakable.
Bavuma has missed the last couple matches, but should be back and vital with a 43.88 average plus having hit 5 centuries in this format before. Tristan Stubbs will most likely come in as a 3-down power-hitter and showcase a various range of shots as he’s meant for this modern style of cricket. Since he has scored 324 runs in 12 innings, it makes him a very lethal threat for someone coming in to play the later overs, while Dewald Brevis will hope to finally put his 360 batting style at full strength. Scoring a 49-knock during his latest innings, it can help lead this unit to even more runs before either all-rounder Corbin Bosch or Senuran Muthuswamy comes in, depending on who starts. Keshav Maharaj and Wiaan Mulder should close out the attack with their ability to score down South Africa’s order.
South Africa: Pacers and Spinners Are A Plentiful For This Unit
As the Proteas could potentially be without Kagiso Rabada during this match, mentioned in introduction, their side is still very loaded with bowling options. Lungi Ngidi will lead the fast bowlers as he continues to be imposing with that height and ability to create pace in his action. Taking 110 wickets in just 69 matches, he will definitely get more during this match and should be impactful during his full spell with Nandre Burger. Seeing that Burger has become a consistent lefty for this side, his 7 ODIs played have shown his wicket-taking ability and also limited batsmen from taking him on. Wiaan Mulder should be another key option since he’s taken 23 wickets during 28 bowling innings and looks to lower his economy from 6.30. For spinning, Senuran Muthuswamy and Keshav Maharaj will really create a surprise element from the left side that make it hard for batsmen to smack or hit sweep shots.
Previous Matches
Matches Played: 71
England Won: 30
South Africa Won: 35
Drawn: 6
Last 5: South Africa won 4 of the last 5
Prediction
South Africa Bat 1st: They will score 300-310 runs with 7 wickets lost
England Bat 1st: They will score 280-290 runs with 6 wickets lost
South Africa Bat 2nd: They will win by 4 wickets
England Bat 2nd: They will lose by 15-20 runs
Final Prediction: South Africa will win by 15-20 runs if batting 1st or 4 wickets if batting second
Key Players
South Africa
Lungi Ngidi: Tall and imposing bowler who picks up wickets with his pace
Dewald Brevis: 360 batsmen who can hit at a very fast rate under pressure
Aiden Markram: Amazing shot-maker that can play with great touch deep into innings
Temba Bavuma: Captain and great leader who lets batsmen go before he plays his classic shots
England
Jofra Archer: Amazing pacer that creates bouncers with that amazing speed
Jos Butler: Power-hitter who continues playing wonderful strokes and deep shots
Joe Root: Classy batsman who is always consistent despite his team’s situations
Harry Brook: Captain who can play with tons of aggression down the order and hit big sixes
Also Read: ZIM vs SA : Wiaan Mulder Reflects On His Unbeaten 367 After Conversation With Brian Lara