South Africa takes on England in the final T20I to avoid a clean sweep at home. England took a 2-0 unassailable lead in the series after some dominating display in the first two matches.
Match Timings: Dec 01, 9: 30 PM IST
Team Preview
England made a brilliant start to their South Africa tour and claimed a straight T20 series win on the South African soil. After the Bairstow-show in Cape Town, England outclassed Proteas with a collective bowling performance. On a challenging surface, Archer bowled an economical spell, and Adil Rashid delivered breakthroughs in middle-overs to complete his 50 wickets in the T20 format.
In the chase of 147, England lost Roy, Buttler, and Bairstow in the first ten, but they saw a match-winning knock from Malan, who scored fine 55. In middle-overs, South Africa tried to form a mini-collapse, but Malan’s steady approach helped England to cross the line.
Captain Morgan can drop Jason Roy to promote Bairstow at the top, and Sam Billings can get the nod to play in middle-overs. Billings is a key player for England’s ODI squad, so England would give him a chance to prepare for the upcoming series. Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes can also take rest from the final T20I to make way for Mark Wood and Moeen Ali. Even England can rest its skipper. Morgan has been playing non-stop cricket since the Pakistan series and didn’t get enough break. Jos Buttler can lead the English side on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, South Africa needs to fix the basic issues in the team. They could have done the scoreline 1-1, but a lack of maturity in middle-overs delivered them a series loss. It’s a third T20I series defeat for South Africa under de Kock, who was appointed the captain in 2019. Proteas can also make changes to its squad and try the bench in the final T20I.
Right-arm pacer Lutho Sipamla will be back in the eleven replacing Ngidi or Rabada. They can also rest both the pacers by recalling Junior Dala. ODI series will start on Friday, and it will be a part of the ICC’s CWC Super League, so South Africa would try to give some rest to those who had played league cricket. Temba Bavuma couldn’t score enough to impress the team management, and we expect Janneman Malan to start as an opener with de Kock.
Pitch Report
Cape Town’s track is good for batting, and it’s slightly different from Paarl. Pacers can find some assistance with the new ball. It’s a surface of 170-180, and chasing is always a great idea. It’s a night game, so dew can play a role in the chase.
Possible XI
South Africa
Quinton de Kock (C), Janneman Malan, Reeza Hendricks, Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Anrich Nortje, Junior Dala, Lutho Sipamla, Tabraiz Shamsi
England
Jason Roy, Jos Buttler (C), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Chris Jordan
Key Players
South Africa
Quinton de Kock
Indian T20 League 2020 – M: 16, Runs: 503, Avg: 35.92
Faf du Plessis
This series – 30 (18), 58 (40)
England
Dawid Malan
Last 9 T20Is – Runs: 298, Avg: 37.25, SR: 128.44
Jonny Bairstow
Last 10 T20Is – Runs: 306, Avg: 34, SR: 153.76
