England Tour of South Africa Preview

It has been confirmed that the Three Lions will travel to South Africa for a white ball tour later in November, despite the ongoing global Pandemic.

England will face off against South Africa in three T20 internationals, followed up by a three match One Day International series. The tour was originally in doubt because of the South African Government’s view of the UK being a ‘high risk’ for Coronavirus. Thankfully, the England players and staff have been granted special exemptions to travel.

I am personally extremely excited for this series; South Africa have shown over the recent years to be one of the most competitive white ball sides in the world. They also boast a bowling attack which will bring great challenge to England, with Kagiso Rabada and the ever improving Anrich Nortje. The pair have been destroying opposition bowling attacks playing together in the IPL for the Delhi Capitals, so seeing these two come up against England’s top order is going to be very exciting.

South Africa’s batting line up is also full of hard hitting superstars, from the obvious names like Faf Du Plessis, Quinton De Kock, David Miller and Rassie Van De Dussen and an international newcomer with unlimited talent, Janneman Malan.

South Africa’s team is stacked with talent, and England are going to have a tough time against them. Having said that, England’s top order is arguably the best in the world in One Day Cricket, Roy and Bairstow are just ruthless against the new ball, and with finishers like Morgan, Stokes, Buttler and Billings it is going to be a fascinating battle with South Africa’s seamers.

I am glad to see Reece Topley, Olly Stone and Liam Livingstone given another chance. I believe all three of them can contribute to England, especially moving forward when players retire or lose form. For me, there have been some slightly odd choices, I think Jofra Archer needs a good rest, he has had a rejuvenation in white ball Cricket after slightly struggling during England’s test summer. His performances in the IPL have cemented his place as one of the best fast bowlers in the world. Also the Moeen Ali selection was a head scratcher for me, he really struggled with the bat against Australia and has continued to do so in the IPL, while only bowling one or two overs a game, I would have loved to see another youngster get selected, Will Jacks from Surrey would have been my choice. I understand why the selectors have given Lewis Gregory another opportunity, but he really needs to perform if he gets the chance, his England future is not certain at all.

I believe England will perform up to their high standards and come out with two series victories, however I know South Africa will put up a stubborn challenge. I predict both series will end 2-1 to England.

 

Player of the tour prediction: Jos Buttler

Player to watch: Reece Topley

Twenty20 squad: Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) (captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Sam Billings (Kent), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Sam Curran (Surrey), Tom Curran (Surrey), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Ben Stokes (Durham), Reece Topley (Surrey), Mark Wood (Durham).

 

One-day squad: Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) (captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Sam Billings (Kent), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Tom Curran (Surrey), Lewis Gregory (Somerset), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Olly Stone (Warwickshire), Reece Topley (Surrey), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham).

 

Reserves across both formats: Jake Ball (Nottinghamshire), Tom Banton (Somerset), Tom Helm (Middlesex).