Fantasy Cricket Tips: After securing a series-leveling win in a cliffhanger in Capetown, England will be upbeat before coming into the third Test against South Africa at St. George’s Park in Port Elizabeth. It was a nearly complete Test match for the visitors as they batted well to put up decent scores in both the innings and saw the hosts in tremendous pressure who were fighting to save the Test on the final day.
It was a perfect advertisement in interests of the Test cricket and the need to continue with the five-day Test format. In Port Elizabeth, both the teams will be eyeing an unassailable lead in the series. The hosts will have to address their batting woes and would desperately hope their big guns to take responsibility in the all-important third Test.
Weather Conditions:
The weather at Port Elizabeth is expected to play its part from the second day of the Test match. On all five days, the conditions will be humid with a possibility of intermittent rain in the last four days.
Pitch Report:
The pitch at Port Elizabeth is often a bat first pitch. The pitch, if it doesn’t have enough grass, might be two-paced and tends to get slower as the match progresses. It is most similar to a sub-continent wicket where spinners come into play post Day 3 or 4 of a Test match.
Test matches Played: 30
Matches won batting first: 12
Matches won bowling first: 13
Average 1st Inns score: 301
Average 2nd Inns score: 236
Average 3rd Inns score: 214
Average 4th Inns score: 159
Injury and availability news: South Africa have named an unchanged squad for the remainder of the series. It is known that the hosts are likely to field the same XI that lost the last Test at Newlands. For England, James Anderson has been ruled out with a rib injury and will no longer take part in the series. Skipper Joe Root is a doubtful starter for the third Test after he didn’t take any part in England’s practice session on January 12 due to an ‘upset stomach’.
Probable Playing XIs:
South Africa: Pieter Malan, Dean Elgar, Zubayr Hamza, Faf du Plessis (C), Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock (Wk), Dwaine Pretorius, Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje
Bench – Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Rudi Second, Beuran Hendricks, Temba Bavuma
England: Zak Crawley, Dominic Sibley, Joe Denly, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Jofa Archer, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad
Bench – Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Craig Overton, Jack Leach, Matthew Parkinson
Top Fantasy Cricket Picks for South Africa vs England:
England opener Dom Sibley had a perfect outing in the second Test, laying the foundation stone for an England win. Ben Stokes, the prolific all-rounder delivered yet again with his all-round show, both with bat and ball. For SA, Pieter Malan on debut showed why he has been a consistent scorer in the domestic circuit. Anrich Nortje has bowled with a lot of heart and dedication to bail his team out of trouble on many occasions in the series.
Captain and Vice-Captain Selection For South Africa vs England:
Captain – Quinton de Kock, Ben Stokes, Dean Elgar, Vernon Philander
Vice-Captain – Dominic Sibley, Joe Root, Faf de Plessis
Suggested Playing XI No.1 for South Africa vs England Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Quinton de Kock
Batters – Dean Elgar, Faf du Plessis, Dominic Sibley, Joe Root (VC)
All-Rounders – Ben Stokes (C), Vernon Philander
Bowlers – Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Stuart Broad
Suggested Playing XI No.2 for South Africa vs England Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Jos Buttler
Batters – Pieter Malan (VC), Rassie van der Dussen, Joe Root, Faf Du Plessis
All-Rounders – Ben Stokes, Vernon Philander (C), Dwaine Pretorious
Bowlers – Kagiso Rabada, Jack Leach, Jofra Archer
Expert Fantasy Cricket Advice for South Africa vs England:
The pitch at St. George’s Park will be on the slower side, hence a spinner in the Fantasy XI is an obvious choice. Batsmen might enjoy their time on the first two days of the match and hence it is necessary to include the top-scorers from both the teams in the XI.
Probable Winners:
After England saw their way back into the Test series, it is difficult to rate any of the two sides ahead of the other. Though the visitors emerged victoriously, South Africa will have their noses ahead just because of their better understanding of the conditions at Port Elizabeth.
Match Details:
The third Test match between South Africa and England will be played at St. George’s Park in Port Elizabeth. The match starts at 10:00 AM local time (08:00 AM GMT). The live coverage for the entire match will be broadcasted on the Sony network.
