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SA vs Eng 2020 | T20 series preview - Cricket returns to rainbow nation

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November 27 is a big day of the year for cricket fans. Three different cricket tours get underway on this date. India start their much-awaited tour of Australia while West Indies play the first fixture of their visit to New Zealand. Also, England start their T20 series against hosts South Africa at Cape Town. 

Earlier this year, both teams squared off in the same country for a Test and ODI series. While England once again thumped Proteas at home in the longest format, the 50-over format saw a 1-1 result with one match of the three-match rubber washed out. 

Now, with the World T20 pushed back to next year, this three-match T20 contest gains great value. England may be considered favourites for this contest also with many impact players in their side. South Africa, on the other hand, would once again be angling to find the right combination from their squad, especially in the batting department. 

England batting: Solid and Stable

There aren't many concerns as far as England's batting is concerned. Their line-up is likely to be very similar to the one in ODI format. Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow form an explosive opening pair with a more reassured Sam Billings available as a back-up in case of an injury. Even otherwise, he is a useful prospect for batting at no. 3 or even lower. 

Most of the remaining batting line-up picks itself. With the likes of Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, and Eoin Morgan, there is much firepower and experience in the middle-order for England. The joker in the pack is Dawid Malan. Once a promising Test player, Malan is now forced to fight for a spot in the T20 team. 

Embarrassment of Riches 

Interestingly, Malan's challenger for a spot in the batting line-up of the visitors will be all-rounders rather than proper batsmen. Ben Stokes is bound to play. But Sam Curran and Moeen Ali will be pushing for a spot as well. Especially, the former has made a strong case for himself with a blitzkrieg of 45 in just 18 deliveries during the most recent practice game. What works for Curran is his uncanny ability to get wickets despite a lack of perceptible threat. This, coupled with his batting capability, makes him a tempting pick for Morgan's side.

De Kock's Leadership on Show Again

For South Africa, this series would mark the beginning of Quinton de Kock's captaincy era in the shortest format. He led the side impressively earlier this year in the ODI series against England. To make matters easy for him, he was also the most impressive batsman for his nation in the tough home season, across formats. 

Ace of Pace

South Africa's biggest strength in this series is likely to be their pace battery. With Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Lungi Ngidi, all available, there isn't much to worry about for de Kock, except choosing who else to try out. Andile Phehlukwayo would also be pushing for selection with his batting abilities complementing the bowling skills he possesses.  

However, the SA team has picked a host of other seamers. Lutho Sipamla and Junior Dala played in the ODIs earlier this year. Dwaine Pretorius and Beuran Hendricks are more reliable with their experience. Glenton Stuurman is the new face. 

Looking for Tahir's Replacements

The Proteas selectors have also chosen a host of spinners in their search for Imran Tahir's replacement. The pack is led by Tabraiz Shamsi who has been in news for his magic tricks as well as spin-bowling ones. Others selected alongside him is the experienced Keshav Maharaj whose budding career in Tests has been partially derailed with poor performances of late. 

Other tweakers in the line-up happen to be Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, and Jon Jon Smuts. The latter is more of an all-rounder. 

Unsettled Batting Order

Apart from skipper de Kock, veterans Faf du Plessis and David Miller, the South African batting line-up is full of experienced batsmen without too many achievements yet in international T20s. Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, and Heinrich Klaasen have shown abilities in other formants but are yet to establish themselves in this one. 

Janneman Malan is one relative youngster at 24 picked in this squad. He might be the one to watch out for as Proteas look for some optimism after a dismal year-and-a-half. 

South Africa vs England - First T20I: Match Details

Date: 27 November 2020, at 9:30 PM IST, 6:00 PM Local Time, 4:00 PM GMT 

Venue: Cape Town

Broadcaster: Star Sports and Hotstar

Pitch Report

The pitch at Cape Town can provide aid to swing bowlers if there are clouds around. However, in a T20 game, with the white ball, and little chance of overcast conditions, batsmen aren't likely to face any great dangers from the surface. Still, the new ball may move around. However, both South African and England will be more reliant on the pace and bounce of their seamers. 

Weather

Weather on match day is expected to be cool and pleasant. There may be clouds in the sky but they are not likely to be rain-bearing. The temperature in the evening is expected to be around 15-degree celsius. 

Probable XIs:

England: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings, Eoin Morgan (Captain), Jos Buttler (Wk), Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (Captain, Wk), Faf du Plessis, Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, JJ Smuts, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi

Dream XI Line-up Suggestion

Quinton de Kock (Wk & VC), Jonny Bairstow, Rassie van der Dussen, Eoin Morgan, David Miller,  Ben Stokes, Sam Curran (C), Keshav Maharaj,  Adil Rashid, Chris Jordan, Kagiso Rabada


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