Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

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

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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:

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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!

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