Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey

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

Do you remember South Africa and England going head-to-head in white-ball cricket early in 2020?

So much has happened since then that no one can blame you if you’ve forgotten. In five white-ball matches, England won three of them, including a thrilling T20I series 2-1. But, South Africa have reason to be optimistic, due to quality representation in the recent IPL, as well as some wonderful performances in the ODIs against Australia soon before lockdown.

So, what better way to test renewed confidence against the best white-ball team in the world? The South Africans will be looking for a new lease of life after a string of series losses at the turn of the year, and will be calling on their talented newcomers to combine well with their experienced men.

For England, the world knows about their talent. It’s about putting that into practice right away, with the added challenge of a number of players spending the last few months in bio-secure bubbles. Eoin Morgan’s leadership is a great asset to have, as is England’s long, powerful batting lineup that could count for plenty. Bring on the fireworks.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Eoin Morgan was man of the series in England’s three-match T20I series in South Africa earlier this year. He scored two fifties in three knocks, including a match-winning 57* off 22 balls to seal the series win.
• Also, Morgan has the most runs in SA-ENG T20Is of any current player (347 runs, avg. 31.54, SR 148.29). Jos Buttler, who hit 57 off 29 balls in his last T20I vs South Africa, is next with 294 runs (avg. 32.66, SR 156.38).
• South Africa would be well-served rekindling the Quinton de Kock-Temba Bavuma opening partnership. Both averaged over 40 in the three-match series against England earlier this season (QdK scored 131 runs, Bavuma 123).
• de Kock is also coming off a strong IPL campaign for Mumbai Indians. The left-hander scored over 500 runs (503) at a good average and strike rate of 35.92 and 145.01.
• How will the number T20I batsman, Dawan Malan, perform? He has a superb T20I record to date (16 T20Is, 682 runs, avg. 48.71, SR 146.66), and England will be looking for more of the same. He has eight 50+ scores in 16 T20Is.
• Jonny Bairstow smashed 64 off 34 balls in his last T20I against South Africa. He averages 41.33 and strikes at 154.03 in eight T20Is vs the Proteas.
• South Africa would be making a mistake if they leave Heinrich Klaasen out of their XI. He was superb earlier in 2020, smashing 66 off 33 balls in his only T20I vs England, followed by scores of 123*, 51 and 68* in the ODIs against Australia.
• Faf du Plessis is set to return to T20I cricket, and showed some fine form particularly in the early stages of IPL 2020 (total of 449 runs, avg. 40.81, SR 140.75). Can he improve on his average of 19 in five T20Is vs England?
• Ben Stokes recently scored 107* and 50 opening the batting for Rajasthan Royals. Here, he will likely be required in the middle-backend of the innings. Can he deliver and improve a sub-par T20I record? (23 inns, 305 runs, avg. 17.94, SR 134.36)
• Sam Curran was Chennai Super Kings’ shining light in IPL 2020 (186 runs, 13 wickets). Also, Curran smashed 45* (18) four days ago in the Buttler vs Morgan tour match. One to watch.
• Kagiso Rabada finished with the most wickets in the recent IPL (30 in 17 matches). Jofra Archer was the MVP, courtesy of a superb 20 wickets in 14 games at an economy rate of 6.55.
• Anrich Nortje came of age in IPL 2020, taking 22 wickets in 16 games. Key player.
• Chris Jordan has the most wickets in SA-ENG T20Is (12 in 10 matches). Lungi Ngidi had an excellent series against England earlier this year (eight wickets in three matches).

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 19, South Africa 9, England 8, N/R 1, 1 abandoned.
• England beat South Africa 2-1 in South Africa earlier in 2020. All three matches were absolutely thrilling: SA won the first match by 1 run, England then won by 2 runs and chased down 223 to take out the series.
• England have won six of their past seven T20 series. The only one they didn’t win was a 1-1 draw vs Pakistan earlier this year.
• In contrast, South Africa have not won a T20 series since March 2019. Since then, they have lost to England and Australia, and drew with India.
• Kagiso Rabada is set to play his 100th white-ball match for South Africa.
• Jason Roy had a poor summer in ODIs, with scores of 24, 0, 1, 3, 21 and 0 against Ireland and Australia.

Possible Playing 11

Dwaine Pretorius is out of the series with injury, so Andile Phehlukwayo will play as the seam bowling all-rounder. Also, South Africa could look to have Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock open the batting, as they showed some excellent signs together earlier this year.

South Africa: 1. Quinton de Kock (c & wk), 2. Temba Bavuma, 3. Faf du Plessis, 4. Rassie van der Dussen/JJ Smuts, 5. David Miller, 6. Heinrich Klaasen, 7. Andile Phehlukwayo, 8. Kagiso Rabada, 9. Lungi Ngidi, 10. Anrich Nortje, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi

England look more settled, but it remains to be seen how they strike their best combination. Dawid Malan, who has performed so well in T20Is at number three (number one-ranked T20I batsman), could move down to four to accomodate Jonny Bairstow. So, the likes of Eoin Morgan may bat lower than normal.

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

Cape Town Pitch and Weather Report

A mostly cloudy and warm day is forecast for Cape Town, which suggests there is a chance of no dew in the second innings. The team batting first has won three of the last five T20Is on this ground, with an average first innings score of 170.6 in these matches.

South Africa will be hoping for a much better outing at Cape Town compared to their last T20I on this ground, where they were bundled out for 96 vs Australia to lose by 97 runs.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

This has the potential to be a beauty. England’s power-packed batting lineup gives them an edge, but if South Africa’s promising seam attack is on song as a unit, it could pave the way for a fine victory.

Thanks for reading!