South Africa will start its first ODI series in CWC Super League against World Champions England at Paarl. The match has been rescheduled due to COVID-19.
Match Timings: Dec 06, 1:30 PM IST
Team Preview
Things are already in a messed-up situation at South African cricket due to the racism theory in the team selection, and they made a woeful start to its home summer. England dominated the T20 series with a 3-0 win, riding on Dawid Malan-show, who earned the record rating-points in T20I rankings. After the debacle in the 2019 World Cup, Proteas appointed De Kock as its new captain, and we also saw some changes in both the board and coaching staff. In its last ODI assignment, South Africa whitewashed Australia, and its ODI series with England ended in a 1-1 draw.
The ODI numbers are pretty convincing for De Kock, and they have the spark to outperform the English side in the longer format. Faf du Plessis has been rested from the ODI series. The former captain will join the squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka series. Heinrich Klaasen would find a place in the playing XI after a fabulous batting against Australia, scoring 242 runs with two half-centuries and one hundred.
Kyle Verreynne is also an option in middle-over, and Bavuma’s current form can put Janneman Malan ahead in the opening slot. Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the ODI series, and Lutho Sipamla will replace him. George Linde and Tabraiz Shamsi will take the spinning roles for Proteas. De Kock can also drop Shamsi to pick Andile Phehlukwayo and Smuts. Smuts can provide the bowling option in middle-overs.
Meanwhile, the English side will be highly boosted after achieving their first T20I whitewash in South Africa. England has recently lost to Australia in the ODI series 2-1, and Ireland also earned 10 points against Morgan’s troops. In Super League, England have lost three matches, and defeat against Australia was the first ODI series loss for Morgan at home in four years.
For the first ODI, Jason Roy might be dropped due to his poor form, and Jonny Bairstow will be back to the opening slot. The Test skipper Joe Root will bat at No. 3. The top-scorer of the home summer, Sam Billings will play the sheet-anchor with Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler. Moeen Ali can get a chance if Morgan goes for an extra bowling option, but it’s unlikely to happen. Tom Curran, Chris Woakes, Reece Topley, and Mark Wood will be England’s four pacers. Adil Rashid will be the only spinner on the side.
Pitch report
Paarl will host the first ODI and the surface will be similar to what we saw in the T20Is. It’s a pure batting surface. It offers little help for the pacers in the first half.
Weather Report
The weather in Paarl is cloudy, and the temperature will be around 25 degrees. It will be a full game as no rain is predicted on Sunday.
Possible XI
South Africa
Quinton De Kock (C/WK), Janneman Malan, JJ Smuts, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi/ Andile Pheklukwayo, Anrich Nortje
England
Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Sam Billings, Tom Curran, Chris Woakes, Reece Topley, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
Key Players
England
Sam Billings
In home ODIs- M: 6, Runs: 315, Avg: 78.75
Jonny Bairstow
Last series vs Aus - M: 3, Runs: 196, Avg: 65.33
South Africa
Rassie van der Dussen
T20I series – M: 3, Runs: 136, SR: 152.81
Heinrich Klaasen
Last ODI series vs Aus – M: 3, Runs: 242, SR: 105.68
