South Africa v England 1st ODI Preview: South Africa look for revival in the ODIs

Given the way the Test series panned out, the ODI series awaits some exciting games to be played between both the teams. South Africa did not surrender the Test series. Alastair Cook’s men had wrapped up the series 2-0 at the end of the third Test but South Africa came back strongly to post a massive victory in the final Test at Centurion. For South Africa, the ODI series would be a chance to retaliate for the loss they incurred in the longer format while for England it about carrying on with winning momentum. The last 50-over series between the two sides was played back in September 2012 which finished 2-2. They last met at a one-off match at the Oval back in 2013 with England going on to win by seven wickets.

South Africa:

Skipper AB de Villiers, who went through a horrible phase in the Tests, will be looking towards returning to form. However, there is not much to worry about his batting as he hit a sparkling century the last time he went out to bat in the ODIs. Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla will make up the top order of the side while big hitter David Miller, Rilee Rossouw along with all-rounder Farhaan Behardien will take up the responsibility of the middle order. South Africa made a last minute addition in the form of Marchant de Lange after the injury forced unavailability of Dale Steyn and Kyle Abbott. The expectation would be on the seasoned Morne Morkel and the rising star Kagiso Rabada. Imran Tahir is a proven talent in the limited over cricket and will add variety to the bowling attack.

England:

England got a good warm-up game against South Africa A where they defeated them by 163 runs. The Eoin Morgan led side is different which won the Test series recently. Alex Hales, Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Jason Roy, James Taylor, Jonny Bairstow, will shoulder most of the burden with the bat. Morgan will have to choose between Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes for the all-rounder’s slot. Stuart Broad will helm the bowling attack. Adil Rashid would be the first choice spinner in the team. Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Jordon, Chris Woakes will fight out for the spots in the bowling line up.

Form Guide 

South Africa: W,L,W,L,W

England – W,W,W,L,L

Stats

• Quinton de Kock has scored 1,993 runs and needs another 7 runs to reach the 2,000 runs milestone.
• AB de Villiers has taken 97 dismissals and needs 3 more to reach the 100 dismissals milestone, and also the 1,000 runs/100 dismissals milestones.
• David Miller has scored 1,819 runs and needs another 181 runs to reach the 2,000 runs milestone.