T20WC Preview: ENG vs SA

The only thing missing to make South Africa's campaign even more interesting is their biggest enemy-RAIN which is not going to be a concern in UAE. They need to beat the supreme form of England if they are to book a semi-final spot for themselves (if AUS beats WI in the evening game)

The middle-order and pace battery of Proteas have been their day-savers throughout the tournament and they would need to punch above their weights to get past the line tonight.

England has been marching on at the back of their in-form openers and incredible bowling and will look to close the league stage on a high. Unless they are resting any of the key players, they are not to be taken lightly.

 

Head To Head 

Overall: England lead 11-9
In T20WC: South Africa lead 3-2
 

Pitch

The average score in the last 6-7 games here has been 147-148 and teams batting 2nd should win. The only wins that have come batting 1st lately are those against weaker teams.

Probable XI 

England: Roy, Buttler, Malan, Bairstow, Morgan, Livingstone, Moeen, Woakes, Jordan, Wood/Willey, Rashid

South Africa: de Kock, Hendricks, van der Dussen, Markram, Bavuma, Miller, Pretorius, Rabada,  Maharaj, Nortje, Shamsi

Matchups

De Kock vs Jordan: 43 runs for 4 dismissals
Dussen vs Jordan: 64 runs at SR 138
Miller vs Jordan: 47 runs for 3 dismissals
Bavuma vs Rashid: 31 runs for 2 dismissals
De Kock vs Moeen: 37 runs for 4 dismissals
Roy vs Rabada: Average 21, SR 149, 4 dismissals
Morgan vs Rabada: 61 runs at SR  254
Roy vs Nortje: 4 runs for 2 dismissals
Morgan vs Nortje: 22 runs for 2 dismissals
Malan vs Shamsi: 50 runs at SR 179
Bairstow vs Shamsi: 74 runs at SR 190
Buttler vs Left Arm Spin: Average 42, SR 128
Roy vs Left Arm Spin: Average 40, SR 153

Key Players

England

Jos Buttler: Buttler is in the form of his life with 2 T20 centuries this year and is a good match-up against the high-pace of Rabada-Nortje. 

Chris Woakes: Woakes is certain to be economical and might pick some wickets against a rather ordinary batting unit of South Africa. He has looked in a good rhythm and will be treating this as a practice match before the big Semis.
 

South Africa

Aiden Markram: Mrakram came good against the quality opponents and not so much against the weaker ones. Following that pattern, he is a good bet for today.

Temba Bavuma: Bavuma has taken upon himself to make the bulk of runs and left of the rest to manage the run rate of the innings. He has back-to-back thirties and might play anchor today too.

Tabraiz Shamsi: Shamsi is having a fantastic year and is just 2 wickets behind Hasaranga. He is blown hot and cold in this world cup but could come in handy today as England batters like pace on the bat. If in rhythm, has the potential to run through the famed batting order of Englishmen.

Dream XI Prediction

Captain Picks

• Jos Buttler
• Jason Roy
• Aiden Markram
• Quinton de Kock (Risky)
• Kagiso Rabada (Risky)

Risky XI