World Cup 2023 Match 20, ENG Vs SA | Who Will Win?
Ben Stokes is set to play his first World Cup 2023 match (AP)
England and South Africa will be out to prove a point when they face each other in match number 21 of the ongoing 2023 World Cup. The much-awaited contest is slated to be hosted by the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on October 21.
Dispirited SA still favourites to upstage title defenders
South Africa trounced Sri Lanka and Australia with over 100-run margins to script a confident start to their 2023 World Cup campaign earlier this month. Moreover, the Proteas also thumped Australia in three successive matches during their pre-World Cup series at home to seal their five-match rubber by a 3-2 margin.
As it turned out, the unbeaten South African juggernaut was brought to a halt by none other than Netherlands in Dharamsala on October 17, where they failed to chase down 246 in a 43-over game.
Regardless of their shock defeat, Temba Bavuma and co. will still be considered as slight favourites to upstage defending champions England in their upcoming standoff in Mumbai.
England, on the other hand, cannot be completely ruled out despite their share of recent World Cup 2023 losses. The ‘defending champions’ tag, coupled with the imminent return of perennial match-winner Ben Stokes, will surely enhance England’s chances by a few notches when they take field against South Africa in Mumbai.
Just a month ago, Jos Buttler and his troops defeated New Zealand in three successive games to claim their four-match series at home. England also thumped Bangladesh by 137 runs on October 10 to register their opening points of the 2023 World Cup.
Following their unexpected downfall against Afghanistan, Buttler’s troops will be aiming to reboot their campaign back to winning ways as a defeat at this stage will only worsen their top four chances.
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