Match Details
The 1st T20I of the three-match series between South Africa and England will be played at the Newlands in Cape Town.
This match will start at 9:30 PM IST (6 PM local). This match and the whole series will be live on Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 HD. Live Streaming will be available on Disney + Hotstar.
Preview
South Africa and England will face each other in the first of the three-match T20I series in Cape Town on Friday. England was the first team to resume cricket post the COVID era by creating a bio-bubble against West Indies. This time they have travelled to the rainbow nation to mark the resumption of the sport in South Africa. However, it doesn’t seem to be easy with COVID positive cases in the African camp.
The names of the players from South Africa contracting the virus have not been revealed but a large squad will allow the hosts to pick a playing XI. Quinton de Kock, the skipper, will be hoping that the team commences its home season on the winning note. The likes of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje who were stars in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Delhi Capitals and they will be expected to breathe fire again.
SA vs ENG Weather Report for Match 1
Clouds will be clear in Cape Town on Friday. It will get cloudy during the match but there is no chance of rain at all. The temperature is expected to be around 19-21 Degrees Celsius.
Pitch Report
The surface at the Newlands has been good for batting. With this being the start of the season, expect fireworks from batsmen of both teams. The pacers will also enjoy bowling on this pitch as they will extract more bounce. The team winning the toss is expected to bat first.
Average first innings score
173 (Last three T20Is played at the venue)
Record of the chasing teams
Won – 0; Lost – 2; Tie – 1
Injury & Availability News
The names of 2-3 players who are tested positive for COVID-19 from South Africa camp are not revealed and we have picked the best XI from the squad.
SA vs ENG Today’s Probable Playing XIs:
South Africa Predicted XI
Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock (C & WK), Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klassen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi/Dwaine Pretorius
Bench: Temba Bavuma, Janneman Malan, George Linde, JJ Smuts, Lungi Ngidi/Dwaine Pretorius, Pite van Biljon, Kyle Verreynne, Junior Dala, Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Keshav Maharaj, Lutho Sipamla, Glenton Stuurman
England Predicted XI
Jason Roy, Jos Buttler (WK), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan, Ben Stokes, Adil Rashid, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood.
Bench: Reece Topley, Sam Billings, Sam Curran, Moeen Ali
SA vs ENG Top picks for today’s Dream11 match:
Quinton de Kock was in great form in the IPL while playing for Mumbai Indians. He scored 503 runs in 16 innings at a strike-rate of more than 140.
Jos Buttler didn’t have a great IPL season by his standards but even then, he scored 328 runs in 12 innings at a strike-rate of 144.49.
Kagiso Rabada was the purple cap winner in the IPL while playing for the Capitals as he picked a whopping 30 wickets in 17 matches. He will be keen on continuing his good form.
Jofra Archer was exceptional, to say the least, for the Royals picking 20 wickets in 14 matches and the economy of 6.55 stood out for him.
Captain and Vice-Captain Selection
Captain Options: Quinton de Kock, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes
Vice-Captain Options: Faf du Plessis, Jofra Archer, Kagiso Rabada
Suggested Playing XI No. 1 for SA vs ENG Dream11 Fantasy Cricket:
Wicketkeeper: Quinton de Kock (C), Jos Buttler (VC)
Batsmen: Faf du Plessis, Jason Roy, Eoin Morgan
All-Rounders: Ben Stokes, Andile Phehlukwayo
Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Jofra Archer, Anrich Nortje, Adil Rashid
Suggested Playing XI No. 2 for SA vs ENG Dream11 Fantasy Cricket:
Wicketkeeper: Quinton de Kock, Jos Buttler
Batsmen: Rassie van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis (VC), Reeza Hendricks, Dawid Malan
All-Rounders: Ben Stokes (C)
Bowlers: Anrich Nortje, Jofra Archer, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid
Expert Advice
Jonny Bairstow is likely to bat at four and not in the top three due to Dawid Malan’s exceptional record. He might not get many balls to face if the top three click. So we have not picked him in Fantasy teams.
SA vs ENG Today’s Probable Winners:
England are expected to win this match.
