South Africa vs England Fantasy Cricket Tips: South Africa will take on New Zealand in the first Test of the four-match series. Both teams are coming off from an away series loss. Hence they will be eager enough to get their World Test Championship campaign back on track.
Coming into the series, both teams have a lot of problems to solve. South Africa have named an in-experience squad with as many as six uncapped players. Their batting order is in disarray after the India series. But with a revamped coaching staff, the Proteas would be hoping for a turnaround.
England, on the other hand, haven’t tasted success in the longest format this year. The World Cup winners lost the Urn at home and lost a two-match series New Zealand. They would like to finish the year on a high. Joe Root, with his experienced bowling attack, would target the in-experienced South African unit.
Weather Conditions/Report:
The weather forecasts for rain on most of the days of the game. The temperature will around the high 20-s and early 30-s. The game might witness numerous rain-breaks.
Pitch Condition/Report:
SuperSport Park is known for producing sporting wickets for Test matches. It is one of the quickest pitches in South Africa. The fast bowlers thrive bowling on the wicket. At the same time, the ball comes nicely on to the bat. Batsmen could trust the pace and bounce to play their shots.
Average first innings score 405 (Last five Test matches)
Record of teams batting first: Won – 4, Lost – 1
Injury and Availability:
South Africa – Temba Bavuma is ruled out due to a hip strain
England – Stuart Board, Jofra Archer, and Jack Leach have been down with a bug. Their availability is subjected to their recovery on the matchday
Probable Playing XIs:
South Africa:
Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Zubayr Hamza, Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock, Dwaine Pretorius, Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje
Bench – Temba Bavuma, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Rudi Second, Pieter Malan, Beuran Hendricks.
England:
Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Joe Denly, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Jack Leach, James Anderson
Bench – Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Board, Jofra Archer, Zak Crawley, Mark Wood, Matt Parkinson
Top Picks For South Africa vs England:
Joe Root is fresh from a double-hundred in New Zealand. He would love to lead from the front. Ben Stokes would want to finish his dream year on a high. Faf du Plessis will lead the charge with the bat. Kagiso Rabada will be a threat to English batsmen.
Captain and Vice-Captain Selection For South Africa vs England:
Captain – Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar
Vice-Captain – Rory Burns, Kagiso Rabada, Quinton de Kock, Sam Curran
Suggested Playing XI No.1 for South Africa vs England Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Quinton de Kock
Batters – Dean Elgar (VC), Aiden Markram, Joe Root, Ollie Pope
All-Rounders – Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Ben Stokes (C)
Bowlers – Kagiso Rabada, Jofra Archer, Chris Woakes
Suggested Playing XI No.2 for South Africa vs England Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Jos Buttler
Batters – Rory Burns, Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, Joe Root (C)
All-Rounders – Joe Denly (VC), Ben Stokes, Vernon Philander
Bowlers – Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Jack Leach
Expert Advice For South Africa vs England:
It is a no-brainer to pick as many batsmen as possible for Test matches. They will give more points on any fantasy team. All-rounders like Ben Stokes, Vernon Philander are certainties in the playing 11. So, those players have to be picked. Potential match-winners in Kagiso Rabada, James Anderson could round-up the bowling attack.
Probable Winners:
With rain likely to play spoilsport, the game might end in a draw. If not much time is lost, then South Africa could edge out the injury-ridden England team.
Match Details:
The first Test match between South Africa and England will be played at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. The match starts at 10.00 AM local time (08:00 AM GMT)
