ICC World Cup 2019 Match 1, England vs South Africa: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Top ODI rank. Check. Host nation. Check. Momentum. Check. Explosive batsmen. Check. All-rounders. Check. Experience. Check. Fitness. Check. Wonder bowler. Check. England seem to have checked every box going into the 2019 World Cup.

There is little doubt that Eoin Morgan, together with the selection panel, has helped build an excellent core. The focus has been on six-hitters, something England somehow seem to have an infinite supply of. Let alone missing Alex Hales, they now have a backup in James Vince.

The bowling attack might not be the best, but their bowlers can all bat. And the timely inclusion of Jofra Archer means that England finally have an ODI bowler who can run through a side.

But while South Africa have not been as phenomenal as England, they have done wonderfully too, since being thrashed 1-5 by India last year. Since then they have a 21-5 record in ODIs, winning 5 series and losing none. They also beat Sri Lanka comfortably in their first warm-up match and dominated the other against West Indies till rain intervened.

Unfortunately, they have been hit by injuries. Anrich Nortje, their fastest bowler, has already been ruled out, while Dale Steyn will miss the first two matches. The pace attack now rests on Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, both of whom, while destructive, have also been prone to injuries.

The plus, on the other hand, has been Hashim Amla’s return to form in the warm-up matches. Along with Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, and the talented Rassie van der Dussen, Amla will have a role to play. And of course, there is the Imran Tahir factor.

Head to head

The rivalry goes back 27 years, to the controversial semi-final of the 1992 World Cup. There is little to choose between the sides, South Africa having won 29 to England’s 26.

However, England hold a 15-8 advantage at home, while the World Cup head-to-head reads 3-3.

The teams had last met in a 3-ODI series in England just before the 2017 Champions Trophy. England won two high-scoring matches (they put up 339/6 and 330/6) before crumbling to 153 and losing the third.

Key players

Jos Buttler (England): Put a 3,000-run and cut-off, and no other active player has a strike rate of 100; Buttler strikes at 120 – and he also averages 41.54. While not the greatest accumulator, there are few batsmen as explosive in contemporary cricket. Add to that his roles as vice-captain and wicketkeeper, and you will know why he is so crucial in this England side.

Imran Tahir (South Africa): As the Indians figured out last year, wrist-spin may be the key to stop England at their den – and who better than Tahir to do that? Tahir’s ridiculous appetite for wickets does not seem to wane even at forty. He took an ODI hat-trick this winter and won the Purple Cap in this IPL, and will certainly want to bow out on a high.

Likely XIs

England: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (vc & wk), Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (vc & wk), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis (c), Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, JP Duminy, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir.

Prediction

England, thanks to their batting firepower and home advantage.