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SA vs ENG 3rd T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | SA vs ENG Centurion Pitch Report | South Africa vs England 3rd T20I Preview Dream11 Prediction | SA vs ENG 3rd T20I Dream11 Prediction Today

If you ever wondered what the perfect entree to a main meal is, this series is it. With the World T20 coming up later this year, this South Africa vs England series has wet the appetite perfectly, with a combined three runs the difference over two games so far.

It’s as if the East London thriller wasn’t enough. Cricket spoiled us all on Valentine’s Day, with Durban conjuring up another thriller, making T20 memorable in a world where so much of it is played. It rained fours and sixes; more so compared to East London, but the equation on the final ball was the same: three to win, one ball.

Indeed, it is only fitting that this series goes to a decider, after England leveled the ledger. Just. After two thrilling games, it remains to be seen what mindset the two sides are in for the final game, with South Africa looking to further prove their credentials in their quest for a maiden global trophy later this year.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Player of the Match Moeen Ali turned the Durban match with one of the most incredible cameos you’ll see.
• Since Moeen returned to the England setup in the third ODI last week, he’s contributed 1/42 (10), 1/22 (4) and 39 (11).
• Eoin Morgan is the top run-scorer among active players in SA-England T20Is (290, SR 136.79).
• Quinton de Kock also turned the Durban game. His 65 (22) saw him achieve the quickest 50 by a South African in T20Is. Indeed, it is rare to see QdK fail in any format these days.
• de Kock averages 44.25 in four T20Is vs England (SR 188.29) and is striking at 259.45 this series. Also, he scored 41 in his only T20I in Centurion to date. Signs pointing to a 40+ score here?
• Temba Bavuma has received some unfair criticism in some parts. He looks to be a great foil for de Kock at the top of the order, with 43 and 31 so far this series (batting past the powerplay both times).
• Jason Roy is the only player to have 100+ runs in this series so far. Scores of 70 (28) and 40 (29) now makes him the second-highest run scorer in SA-England T20Is (8 matches, 280 runs, avg. 35.00, SR 160.00).
• Rassie van der Dussen has 105 runs in two T20Is in Centurion (64 and 41), and is in great form this series; his 43* (26) nearly took SA home last game.
• Also, van der Dussen has crossed 30 seven times in 11 T20I innings.
• Is this the game Jonny Bairstow goes big? He has threatened to do so in the opening two T20Is: 23 (19), 35 (17). Jos Buttler, on the other hand, has not stepped up in such a thrilling series so far (15 and 2).
• Ben Stokes played one of his best T20Is last game. His 47* (30) is now his highest score in the format. He also took a wicket.
• Chris Jordan has the most wickets in SA-England T20Is (12). He has four wickets this series, all at the death, with full, straight bowling. Tom Curran is in a similar boat, with strong capabilities at the death.
• Dwaine Pretorius (1/17 and 25 off 13 balls) will be keen to have another strong outing to lock down his place in the SA team.
• Lungi Ngidi has the most wickets this series (6). Beuran Hendricks took 4/14 on this ground, last year vs Pakistan, while Tabraiz Shamsi took 2/16 vs Sri Lanka a few weeks later.

Other Stats and Facts

• The team batting first has won seven of nine T20Is at Centurion.
• Three of the last four T20Is between these two teams has been decided by single figures.
• South Africa lead England 9-7 in the head-to-head. In South Africa, the Proteas lead 5-2.
• A big game for David Miller. He has made just one score above 25 in his last 14 T20 innings, and averages just 17.83 with the bat in seven T20Is at Centurion.
• The average first innings score in the last five T20Is at Centurion is 167.8. However, one of the matches was a 10-over match, where South Africa scored 126. So, the average run rate is 9.32.

Possible Playing 11

Quinton de Kock said he wishes this match was a dead rubber. That would have given him the chance to test bench strength a little more. However, with the series on the line, Dale Steyn (rested last game) for Bjorn Fortuin could be the only change to the South Africa XI.

South Africa: 1. Quinton de Kock (c & wk), 2. Temba Bavuma, 3. Rassie van der Dussen, 4. Jon-Jon Smuts, 5. David Miller, 6. Andile Phehlukwayo, 7. Dwaine Pretorius, 8. Beuran Hendricks, 9. Dale Steyn, 10. Tabraiz Shamsi, 11. Lungi Ngidi

Joe Denly has suffered two failures so far in the middle order this series. So, it remains to be seen if he can find success at five or six in T20Is. Also, England could potentially rest Mark Wood.

England: 1. Jason Roy, 2. Jos Buttler (wk), 3. Jonny Bairstow, 4. Eoin Morgan, 5. Joe Denly, 6. Ben Stokes, 7. Moeen Ali, 8. Tom Curran, 9. Chris Jordan, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Mark Wood/Saqib Mahmood

Centurion Pitch Report and Conditions

Centurion is usually a belter for batting in T20Is. In fact, SuperSport Park is second only to the Wanderers for high-scoring (among SA’s regular T20 venues), with a run-rate of 9.32 in the first innings of the past five T20Is.

The forecast is for a warm afternoon with no rain.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Dream11 and Fantasy Cricket content for you to enjoy on CricBlog:

• MyClubtap: Fantasy Cricket for your own club or league
• 6 tips to increase chances of winning in Dream11
• MyTeam11 vs Dream11: Which is better for you?
• Pros and cons of Dream11’s deadline decision

Match Prediction

This has the makings of a another thriller. Both sides are equally matched, as the first two games showed.

South Africa have won three of their past four games at Centurion. After they should have won in Durban, they could go on to win this one. South Africa to win in another cracker.

Thanks for reading!

SA vs ENG 2nd T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | SA vs ENG 2nd T20I Durban Pitch Report | South Africa vs England 2nd T20I Preview Dream11 | SA vs ENG 2nd T20I Dream11 Prediction Today

It was a game for the ages. We have witnessed one of the best T20s in recent times; a game that meant plenty to both teams, as well as the amazing crowd at Buffalo Park in East London.

It was the bowlers who came out on top in the death overs in a classic T20I first up. Both South Africa and England went big in their opening 10 overs respectively, but when there is a different feeling associated with a T20I (with this being a World Cup year), you felt there was always going to be drama.

Chris Jordan’s excellent death bowling, as well as Jason Roy and Eoin Morgan’s power with the bat, were second best in the end. Lungi Ngidi was the star, conceding five runs in a final over of a game that looked out of South Africa’s reach.

Now, we go back to Durban, the venue of the washed out second ODI. Thankfully, the forecast is good for this clash, and if we get anything like the game we got on Wednesday, we’re in for a real treat.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Fitting Jason Roy, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow in the top three meant that Dawid Malan, England’s top run-scorer in New Zealand late last year, was left out.
• But, Roy justified his selection. His average vs South Africa before the last game was below 30 in six games, but his 70 (38) reminded us of the power he possesses.
• Buttler (15) and Bairstow (23) looked threatening, but got out after making starts in East London.
• Quinton de Kock also looked threatening last game. His 31 (15) looked like it could have been plenty more given the way he was striking it. Also, de Kock has 76 runs in Durban T20Is for just one dismissal.
• Temba Bavuma looks to be enjoying the freedom of white-ball cricket. He looked at home as opener, scoring 43 (27) last game, after scoring 232 runs at 38.66 in the 2019 Mzansi Super League.
• David Miller was Player of the Match in the last T20I in Durban, back in 2016 (53* off 35 balls). Miller has a love for this ground across formats, as his ODI record shows: 507 runs, avg. 72.43.
• Rassie van der Dussen could be a very reliable T20 cricketer for South Africa batting at number three. He is yet to play a T20I in Durban, but he has 130 runs on this ground in two ODIs, with one dismissal (80* and 50).
• Eoin Morgan was superb in East London. He now has the most runs of any active player in South Africa-England T20Is (263, avg. 26.30, SR: 139.89).
• Incredibly, Ben Stokes has a high score of just 38 in 24 T20Is (avg. 14.75), and just 11 wickets (avg. 47.27). However, everyone knows what Stokes is capable of, and with a T20 World Cup around the corner, he will be motivated to find his rhythm.
• Chris Jordan will be trusted to bowl at the death again for England. This can bring about wickets. He has taken nine wickets in his past five T20Is.
• Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali, who went at under six an over with a wicket each in East London, could enjoy the typically slower Durban pitch.
• But, the star of the show last game was Lungi Ngidi. His death bowling was superb under pressure, and will be trusted on doing the job again.
• Tabraiz Shamsi was economical but wicketless in East London. But, he was the second-highest wicket taker in the 2019 Mzansi Super League (16).
• Eyes will be on Dale Steyn again after a wicket on his return. Also, eyes will be on Tom Curran and Mark Wood, who were both expensive last game.
• Andile Phehlukwayo often takes wickets for the Proteas. He is coming off two last game.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-Head: South Africa 9, England 6, NR 1.
• In South Africa, the Proteas lead the head-to-head 5-1.
• England have played two T20Is in Durban (but none vs SA), losing both their games at Kingsmead in the 2007 World T20. South Africa have played seven completed games, winning five of them.

Possible Playing 11

South Africa could stick with the same winning combination as the last game, unless they choose to replace Dwaine Pretorius.

South Africa: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Temba Bavuma, 3. Rassie van der Dussen, 4. Jon-Jon Smuts, 5. David Miller, 6. Andile Phehlukwayo, 7. Dwaine Pretorius, 8. Beuran Hendricks, 9. Dale Steyn, 10. Lungi Ngidi, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi

England will likely avoid significant changes, unless they believe Matt Parkinson and/or Saqib Mahmood are due an opportunity. Also, there is the question of whether Joe Denly can be effective in the number five or six spot for England.

England: 1. Jason Roy, 2. Jos Buttler (wk), 3. Jonny Bairstow, 4. Eoin Morgan (c), 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Joe Denly, 7. Moeen Ali, 8. Chris Jordan, 9. Tom Curran, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Mark Wood

Durban Pitch Report and Conditions

Durban has similar characteristics to East London when it comes to the pitch. It is often on the slower side compared to other South African pitches, which can make batting a little more challenging when the ball gets older.

After plenty of rain in Durban in recent times, the forecast looks clear for this one: mostly sunny and humid (29 degrees).

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Dream11 and Fantasy Cricket content for you to enjoy on CricBlog:

• MyClubtap: Fantasy Cricket for your own club or league
• 6 tips to increase chances of winning in Dream11
• MyTeam11 vs Dream11: Which is better for you?
• Pros and cons of Dream11’s deadline decision

Match Prediction

It was impossible to predict the result of the first T20I with three balls left. So, making a prediction ahead of this match is equally as difficult as it was last game.

One gets the feeling it will be a tight one again. But, England, who bounced back well in the ODIs, could do so again; England to turn the corner and win another close match.

Thanks for reading!

SA vs ENG 1st T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | SA vs ENG 1st T20 Dream11 | South Africa vs England 1st T20I Preview Dream11 | SA vs ENG 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today

After a competitive ODI series which finished 1-1, attention moves to a pretty important T20I series.

It is not often the case that a T20I series has contextual relevance to it. However, with a T20 World Cup approaching, South Africa (seeking that elusive global trophy) and England (2010 winners) go head-to-head in the battle for momentum ahead of the tournament.

The three-match series begins in East London, which welcomes a host of stars. Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes are back for England, with the one-and-only Dale Steyn back in Proteas colours for the first time in nearly a year. This one has the makings for an exciting contest, and it will be interesting to see which way it goes.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Jos Buttler returns, but it remains to be seen where he bats. His move to opener for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL has seen him light up the tournament there.
• Buttler has a strong T20I record vs South Africa (220 runs, avg. 36.66, SR: 151.72).
• Jonny Bairstow has 126 runs vs SA in four innings, headlined by a 60*.
• If picked, Dawid Malan will be looking to build on his excellent T20I series in NZ, where he scored a fifty and century in four innings.
• Quinton de Kock will captain South Africa in this series. He is coming off a good ODI series, scoring 107, 11 and 69.
• Reeza Hendricks and Temba Bavuma will be looking to build on recent showings. Hendricks was the fourth-highest run-scorer in the 2019 Mzansi Super League (275 runs, avg. 39.28, SR 125.00). Bavuma scored 232 runs at 38.66, plus 98 in the first ODI last week.
• Eoin Morgan was excellent in England’s last T20I series, in New Zealand, scoring 192 runs at a SR of 193.93.
• Against South Africa, though, he will be looking to build on 211 runs in 12 games at an average of 23.44 (SR 137.01).
• Rassie van der Dussen scored 56 in his only T20I at East London. However, England will provide more of a challenge than Zimbabwe.
• Ben Stokes is back, with something to prove. He has played three games vs South Africa, scoring just 27 runs and taking one wicket.
• David Miller also has something to prove. It is a big year for him, as he has the potential to take South Africa to another level. Plus, he will want to build on his poor record vs England: 84 runs, avg. 16.80.
• Chris Jordan has the second-most wickets in SA-England T20Is (8). However, his economy rate is high: 10.13.
• Tom Curran has five wickets in two games vs South Africa.
• Dale Steyn will be the talk of the town. He has seven wickets vs England in eight games – a record he will want to build on.
• Tabraiz Shamsi took the second-most wickets in the 2019 Mzansi Super League with 16 wickets in 10 matches. Lungi Ngidi took nine wickets in seven matches.

Head-to-Head

• Matches 16, South Africa 8, England 6, NR 1.
• England have won three of the past five T20Is between the two teams.

Possible Playing 11

South Africa: 1. Quinton de Kock (c & wk), 2. Reeza Hendricks, 3. Temba Bavuma, 4. Rassie van der Dussen, 5. Jon-Jon Smuts, 6. David Miller, 7. Dwaine Pretorius/Sisanda Magala, 8. Andile Phehlukwayo, 9. Dale Steyn, 10. Tabraiz Shamsi, 11. Lungi Ngidi

England have a conundrum. If Jos Buttler opens, who misses out?

England: 1. Jason Roy/Jos Buttler (wk), 2. Jonny Bairstow, 3. Dawid Malan, 4. Eoin Morgan, 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Moeen Ali, 7. Sam Curran, 8. Tom Curran, 9. Chris Jordan, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Mark Wood

East London Pitch Report and Conditions

The East London pitch is typically on the slower side. But, the short boundaries can allow batsmen to score quickly if they get in.

The weather forecast is warm and windy.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Dream11 and Fantasy Cricket content for you to enjoy on CricBlog:

• MyClubtap: Fantasy Cricket for your own club or league
• 6 tips to increase chances of winning in Dream11
• MyTeam11 vs Dream11: Which is better for you?
• Pros and cons of Dream11’s deadline decision

Match Prediction

One that can go either way, which promises to produce a quality match first up.

England are perhaps slightly ahead in their World T20 planning than South Africa, which makes them favourites. However, South Africa will be very competitive.

Thanks for reading!