Smarting From Shock Losses, England And South Africa Look To Turn The Tide

Reeling from upsets of their earlier outings, a formidable South Africa may have an higher hand in opposition to a faltering England when the 2 groups meet in a World Cup match in Mumbai on Saturday. Having recorded the best complete of this competitors (428/5) beforehand, South Africa crumbled in opposition to the Netherlands in a rain-truncated recreation in Dharamsala for his or her first loss within the competitors. Similarly, England too caved in to strain when Afghanistan introduced out their finest with the ball in Delhi.

England might have a 4-3 document over South Africa in 50-over World Cup historical past however it’s the Proteas who’ve had a greater run on this version.’ South Africa sizzled initially of the event beating Australia and Sri Lanka by greater than 100 runs however their second consecutive defeat in ICC occasions to the Netherlands confirmed the Proteas’ vulnerability underneath strain.

A defeat to the Dutch however, South Africa may have sufficient confidence of their ranks to outgun England, who’re struggling nearly in all departments and are but to place a collective effort on the sector.

England have been largely rusty and inconsistent regardless of having a harmful squad on paper. They are more likely to have the companies of their “spiritual leader” Ben Stokes for the sport at Wankhede. Stokes missed the primary three video games resulting from a hip harm.

Jos Buttler’s males took a battering by the hands of New Zealand within the tournament-opener and regardless of bossing over a feeble Bangladesh, they have been bludgeoned by Afghanistan within the World Cup’s first upset.

With scores of 43, 20 and 9 in three matches thus far, Buttler has not made a mark on the event in situations he has in depth information of.

If Buttler is a priority within the middle-order, Liam Livingstone’s returns of 20, 0 and 10 in three matches give England extra headache within the decrease order.

Joe Root and Dawid Malan have been England’s finest batters with the previous getting two fifties and the latter a century, however they might know extra is required from their batters collectively in opposition to a top quality South African bowling assault.

Reece Topley (5 wickets) can be essential for England with the ball as neither Mark Wood’s specific tempo (three wickets) nor Adil Rashid’s spin (4 wickets) has helped their trigger a lot.

England’s most profitable bowler within the 2019 version with 20 wickets, Jofra Archer, linked up with the squad in Mumbai on Thursday however he’s solely a travelling reserve with no set plan of creating a comeback to top-flight cricket.

Consistency is rarely a trait related to Temba Bavuma the batter however the diminutive participant has led his facet admirably over the past 12 months.

With again to again tons of, Quinton de Kock has made it clear that he needs to go away an indelible mark in his final World Cup for South Africa. Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen are additionally in-form and may do each — consolidate or speed up — relying on the state of affairs.

South African bowlers have been collective of their efforts. Kagiso Rabada’s (seven wickets) brilliance and Marco Jansen’s (six wickets) variation can pose issues for the batters however extra can be wanted from Lungi Ngidi (4 wickets).

They will look to keep away from bowling too many slower balls in opposition to the England lower-order after the ploy misfired badly in opposition to the Dutch.

The World Cup jamboree lastly arrives on the venue of the 2011 version’s remaining, the Wankhede Stadium, the place ball tends to do a bit however the flatness of the floor basically mixed with shorter boundary lengths make it a batting paradise.

The outfield right here was relaid right here after it hosted the IPL earlier this 12 months.

Squads: England: Jos Buttler (c & wk)), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood and Chris Woakes.

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen and Lizaad Williams.

Match begins 2pm IST. PTI DDV BS BS

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