England vs South Africa
The waiting is almost over. After a year of build up and expectation the ICC Cricket World Cup is finally on; and the tournament starts with a blockbuster.
The Oval in Surrey will be packed to the rafters on Thursday for the ODI 1 England vs South Africa opener, it couldn’t be better. South Africa is ranked third in the ICC ODI listings with England still at the top, and so the hosts could hardly have a more difficult examination than Faf du Plessis’ Proteas.
England is the favourite to win the tournament and a fast start will have their fans believing they can break their World Cup duck. But there will be nerves as well as excitement as the teams take the pitch. England vs South Africa predictions across the cricket world will be lively, with both sides having a pretty compelling case.
This week’s England vs South Africa news has concerned injury scares, and one in particular has occupied the minds of England fans.
Talking Points
Morgan racing to be fit
Much of England’s transformation into the best ODI side in the world can be attributed to the dynamic captaincy and swashbuckling batting of skipper Eoin Morgan. He leads a prolific, high scoring team from the front, never slow to take the attack to his opponents.
So, during a practice session in Southampton on Friday, when the captain left the field with a pained grimace on his face the England cricket world watched with concern. Morgan had dislocated and fractured his index finger while taking catches from a bowling machine, and subsequently sat out England’s warm up defeat against Australia on Saturday.
But the 32 year old seems confident he will be ready for the ICC World Cup opener against South Africa on Thursday, saying: “The digit is the best I could have hoped. I dropped a catch and dislocated it and there is a very small fracture in there but I’m good to go. As regards the first game of the tournament I should be fit. It’s very good news.”
Indeed it is for England’s SBOBET cricket fans. Their team lost the warm-up against Australia, having rested four players, but Jos Buttler showed, once again, that he is one of the most dangerous batsmen in the game, hitting a breathtaking 52 from 31 balls, while James Vince gave himself a great chance of a start against South Africa with a well constructed half century.
England had another injury scare as fast bowler Mark Wood pulled up in his run up and he’s undergone a precautionary scan on his foot.
Morgan’s team will bounce back. They come into the World Cup on the back of a run filled series win over Pakistan, winning 4-0 with a display of attacking batting against an improving Pakistan bowling attack. There’s some talk of a possibility of a team reaching 500 in an ODI innings and if it is to be England, then surely Jos Buttler will be in the thick of the action. He’s taken the IPL by storm and looks better by the game.
Proteas’ proven quality
At third in the ODI world rankings England’s opening opponents will present a stiff test to the favourites. South Africa has three players in the top fives in the ICC ODI rankings, Quinton de Kock is fifth in the batting order with Imran Tahir and Kagiso Rabada fourth and fifth in the bowling list. Rabada has become one of the most exciting bowling talents in the world with his pace and aggression, and he is sure to give many a batsman the hurry up.
After a two match test series against Sri Lanka, the Proteas have focussed their attention on the World Cup, but they too have had an injury setback. Fast bowler Anrich Nortje has a hand injury which will keep him out of the tournament and all-rounder Chris Morris has been drafted in to the 15 man squad. Morris is a fine player too, particularly in the one day game where he has proven ability as a death bowler and a dangerous finisher with the bat.
History
The head to heads tell a story of fierce competition between two sides which have been well matched through the ages. England has won 26 to South Africa’s 29 in ODI internationals with one tie and three no results.
But on home soil England has won 15 of the 26 clashes and that will give the hosts an edge.
Neither side has won the World Cup, South Africa reaching the semi-finals on four occasions while England has been beaten finalists three times. Both teams will expect to at least match their best efforts; and hope to go one step further.
Betting Tip
If the weather holds this will be a cracking opener with England’s fans expecting and South Africa’s dangerous team ready to spoil the party.
But English conditions and a team bursting with talent and ambition gives the hosts an edge and I think they will win a thrilling opener. So I’m backing Jos Buttler to score big.
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