Last Updated on 2 years by Charbel Coorey

ENG vs SA 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | ENG vs SA 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | England vs South Africa 1st T20I Key Players | Bristol Pitch Report

Context is a big talking point in white-ball cricket these days, particularly in the aftermath of Ben Stokes’ retirement from ODIs. T20 Internationals are often a point of discussion, but with a T20 World Cup around the corner, there is always a sense of importance about these matches with the aim to gain important form and confidence.

England and South Africa have played some thrilling T20Is over the years. In early 2020, the two teams played memorable contests, with the Proteas winning by one run followed by England’s two-run win two days later.

Later that year, England swept South Africa 3-0 in a series behind closed doors. There will be no quiet atmosphere this time around as England need to arrest a slide in white-ball cricket and the Proteas look to rediscover their excellent form from 2021. With both teams possessing great firepower – most notably in the two captains – we could be in for thrilling T20 cricket.

ENG vs SA 1st T20 Possible Playing 11

Jonny Bairstow is expected to play despite having swelling in his knee in the lead up to this match. Also, England might have to choose one between Phil Salt and Harry Brook, as well as Sam Curran and David Willey. Salt has played four matches on this ground, with an average of 56.67 and strike rate of 171.72 to his name.

Ben Stokes is rested.

England: 1. Jason Roy, 2. Jos Buttler (c & wk), 3. Dawid Malan, 4. Jonny Bairstow, 5. Liam Livingstone, 6. Phil Salt/Harry Brook, 7. Moeen Ali, 8. Sam Curran/David Willey, 9. Chris Jordan, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Reece Topley

Rilee Rossouw could make his long-awaited return to the South Africa team. David Miller will lead in Temba Bavuma’s absence.

South Africa: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Rilee Rossouw/Reeza Hendricks, 3. Rassie van der Dussen, 4. Aiden Markram, 5. Heinrich Klaasen, 6. David Miller (c), 7. Dawine Pretorius, 8. Keshav Maharaj/Tabraiz Shamsi, 9. Kagiso Rabada, 10. Anrich Nortje, 11. Lungi Ngidi

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

England:

• Dawid Malan broke his half-century drought in T20Is with a 77 against India recently. The left-hander has a terrific record against South Africa, with 295 runs in six matches at an average of 59.00 and strike rate of 156.08. This includes three half-centuries and a top score of 99*.
• Jos Buttler has the most runs in ENG-SA T20Is: 15 inns, 416 runs, avg. 34.66, SR 154,07, 3 50s. He has scored 54 runs off just 28 balls against Nortje in all T20s (two dismissals) and an impressive 72 off 37 against Rabada (one dismissal).
• Jonny Bairstow has had mixed success at number four in T20s. However, he too has solid numbers against South Africa in this format: 10 inns, 338 runs, avg. 42.25, SR 154.33, 3 50s.
• England could use Moeen Ali against de Kock. The off-spinner has dismissed him four times in 42 balls in T20s for a total of 60 runs.
• Chris Jordan has the most wickets in ENG-SA T20Is (15). His economy rate of 9.77 is cause for improvement. Also, expect Jordan to be a livewire in the field.
• Reece Topley has taken four wickets in three T20s on this ground at an economy of 7.56. He comes into this series in good form.

South Africa:

• Is this the day we see Rilee Rossouw back in South Africa colours? He has had a brilliant year so far in T20s, with 875 runs in 25 innings at an average of 46.05 and unbelievable strike rate of 186.97.
• Quinton de Kock has scored the most runs for South Africa against England among current players (323). He averages 35.88 and strikes at a very impressive 163.13.
• Rassie van der Dussen smashed a superb 94* off 60 balls in his last T20I against England. He also scored a century in the ODI series.
• Aiden Markram is a genuine impact player in this format. He had a brilliant IPL earlier this year (381 runs, avg. 47.63, SR 139.05) and scored 52* off 25 in his last T20I vs England.
• Kagiso Rabada is back on deck for the Proteas. He has nine wickets in six T20Is vs England (SR 15.6) and has good numbers against Jason Roy in international T20s: 27 balls bowled, 32 runs conceded, two dismissals.
• Lungi Ngidi has taken 12 wickets in just six T20Is vs England, including Jason Roy twice in 19 deliveries and Buttler twice in 28. His economy rate is high (10.65), but he strikes every 11.1 deliveries on average.

Other Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 22, England 11, South Africa 10, N/R 1.
• England have won five of the past six matches against South Africa. The Proteas did knock off England in the World Cup last year.
• England could be well served elevating Moeen Ali to the top four. He averages just 17.50 against South Africa (mostly down the order) but has a strike rate of 152.17.
• Dawid Malan has scored 23 off 18 balls against Rabada without dismissal in T20Is. Against Ngidi, Malan has scored 37 off 23 balls for one dismissal. The corresponding figures are 32 off 20 balls without dismissal against Nortje.
• David Miller had an IPL to remember earlier this year. When chasing, he scored 320 runs at a strike rate of 152.38, and was dismissed just twice.

County Ground Bristol Pitch Report and Weather

The average first innings score on this ground in the 2022 T20 Blast is 171. The chasing team won three of the five matches.

Cloudy and cool weather is forecast, with a top of about 22 degrees.

ENG vs SA 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction 27 July 2022

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction

If you’re looking for an alternative to Dream11, Fan2Play offers lower credit scores for 11-player fantasy teams. Check out and download the app here.

Base Team:

• Wicket-Keepers: Jos Buttler, Quinton de Kock
• Batsmen: Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen
• All-rounders: Liam Livingstone, Dwaine Pretorius
• Bowlers: Chris Jordan, Kagiso Rabada

ENG vs SA 1st T20 Match Prediction: Who will win?

A score of 175+ could prove to be a tough chase. With the Proteas looking more fresh, they are well placed to win this match.