ENG vs SA, Preview | South Africa hope to master English conditions after 27-years of struggles

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The first ODI match between England and South Africa will take place at Headingley, Leeds on September 2. While the three lions will be looking for their first series since 2017, the Proteas will hope to finally master the English conditions after 27 years in the three-match series.

‌ODI cricket is in the limelight right now as South Africa will be taking on England in a three-match ODI series starting from September 2 at Headingley, Leeds. This will be the first bilateral series between the two teams since 2023 which the Proteas had emerged victorious by a 2-1 margin. While England will be looking for their first ODI bilateral series win against the Proteas since 2017, South Africa will also be looking for their first bilateral ODI series win in England since 1998. Looking at the history between the two sides, this is expected to be another exciting battle between two top international teams

Though England has maintained a good record against the Proteas at home, they will be going into this tournament with an inexperienced skipper in Harry Brook, who has led the team in eight matches so far. Though he might get some help from some of the experienced campaigners within the team, in Joe Root, Jos Buttler, and Adil Rashid, it will still be a huge challenge for the Yorkshireman against the Rainbow Nation, who have been dominant against the Three Lions in the last few seasons.

While England will be playing under a new captain, the South African squad will also have a lot of young and exciting players who will be looking to make an impact in the squad. While the likes of Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, and Kwena Maphaka did not impress in the last ODI series, there was still a lot of promise shown by Matthew Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs. These players will be tested in the tough seaming conditions and will hope to make a huge impact in the series and finally break the team's one-day curse in English conditions.

Form Guide

Both sides' recent form in 50-over cricket has been decent, with England having secured a clean sweep against the West Indies in their last series and South Africa beating Australia in an away series by a 2-1 margin.

England: W W W L L

South Africa: L W W L W

Eng vs SA Head-to-Head in ODIs

The two teams have had some close battles in the format, which explains why their head-to-head record is almost neck and neck in the last 71 games. Though South Africa might have got a lead over England in ODIs overall, they have struggled against them in English conditions, having won only nine out of the 29 games in the UK.

England 30 - 35 South Africa

Pitch and Weather

The surface at Headingley is expected to be nice and hard, and though there might be a bit of extra bounce for the pacers early on, it has mostly been a paradise for the batters. Chasing is ideal on this ground as the wicket does not change much in the second innings, as the side fielding first has won 26 out of the 47 games played at this venue.

The weather forecast at Headingley does not look promising at all, as there are high chances of rainfall ranging from 50-70 % with the expected temperature being between 18-20 degrees Celsius.

Team News

Harry Brook will lead the England team in the ODI series with Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett expected to be their top order batters, while Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, and Will Jacks will be the probable choices in the middle order. The pace bowling setup will most likely include Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, and Jamie Overton, with Adil Rashid being their lone specialist spinner.

South Africa is expected to pick six specialist batters in Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma, Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, and Dewald Brevis within their lineup. Wiaan Mulder is a probable choice at number seven who can add some depth with bat and bowl. Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Nandre Burger will most likely make up their bowling attack in the upcoming venture.

England Probable XI: Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler (wk), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer

South Africa Probable XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger

Broadcasting Platforms

The first ODI between South Africa and England will be digitally streamed on the Sony Liv and Fancode app/website. Fans can catch the action on television, as well as on the Sony Sports Network.