South Africa will lock horns against England in the ongoing Champions Trophy at the National Stadium, Karachi on Saturday. While South Africa is in contention for the semifinals, England was knocked out of the tournament after their eight-run loss against Afghanistan.
The Proteas will qualify for the knockouts if Australia defeats Afghanistan. However, if the Aussies lose, South Africa will have to defeat England or at least make sure that their net run rate stays above that of Australia.
We look at the current form, head-to-head, players to look out for, and squads of both teams in our match preview.
Current form of South Africa: NR W L L L
South Africa’s last game against Australia was abandoned due to rain. However, the Rainbow Nation had registered a convincing 107-run win against Afghanistan in their opener. The Temba Bavuma-led team has a NRR of +2.140, which is going to give them an advantage.
Current form of England: L L L L L
England have lost their last five ODI matches and they were stunned by Afghanistan in the last game. The Three Lions haven’t ticked the right boxes with both bat and ball as they have failed to come up with a collective effort.
Head to Head: Matches: 70, Won by England: 30, Won by South Africa: 34, NR: 5, Tied: 1.
Players to look out for: Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, David Miller, Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen will be the crucial players for South Africa.
Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Ben Duckett, Mark Wood, Adil Rashid, and Jofra Archer will be the crucial players for England.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch.
England: Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood.
