Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey
T20 WC 2021 Match 39: ENG vs SA Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | ENG vs SA Dream11 Prediction Today | England vs South Africa Key Players | Sharjah Pitch Report
Incredibly, it is very much possible that a team could miss out on the Semi Finals despite winning four of five matches. Australia play West Indies in a crucial game before this one, which will give South Africa more of an idea of what they need to do. However, the Proteas need to stay focused at the job at hand.
Whether Australia win or lose, South Africa still need to produce a strong performance against an England side that has proved unstoppable so far in this World Cup. This was even the case after being reduced to 47/3 in 10 overs against Sri Lanka, before Jos Buttler played an absolute blinder to further highlight England’s terrific batting depth.
Eoin Morgan’s team are through to the Semi Finals, but could be motivated to avoid Pakistan in the Semi Final. The Proteas will back themselves to put in a big performance today courtesy of their bowling attack. Their seamers have what it takes to challenge England’s hard-hitting batsmen, while Tabraiz Shamsi continues to produce the goods despite being overtaken by Wanindu Hasaranga as the number one T20I ranked bowler. All to play for.
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
England:
- Jos Buttler is in imperious form. The brilliant keeper-batsman is coming off scores of 72* off 39 balls vs Australia and 101* off 67 vs Sri Lanka. He also has the most runs for any England player against South Africa: 14 innings, 390 runs, avg. 35.45, SR 152.94.
- Dawid Malan is yet to get going in this tournament. However, today could be the day as he loves playing against South Africa: 5 inns, 262 runs, avg. 65.50, SR 160.74. He scored two half-centuries in three matches in South Africa in late 2020, including 99*.
- Jonny Bairstow also has an outstanding record against South Africa. In nine innings, Bairstow has smashed 337 runs at an average of 48.14 and strike rate 156.02.
- Moeen Ali has taken two wickets in each innings he has bowled in the Super 12s. Expect him to play a role in the powerplay against the left-handed Quinton de Kock.
- Liam Livingstone has taken four wickets in his last three matches. He will be key with the ball, and will also be looking to make an impact with the bat if he gets a chance at a ground he has historically struggled at: 5 inns, 46 runs, avg. 11.50, SR 83.64.
- Chris Jordan is conceding just 5.25 runs per over in this tournament, along with his six wickets. He has historically been expensive against South Africa (econ. 9.84), but is a wicket-taker in these matches (15 wickets in 13 matches).
- Adil Rashid has been excellent in this tournament (4 inns, 7 wickets, avg. 10.71, econ. 5.23). Can he improve on his average of 38 in 11 innings vs South Africa? He usually plays them on good batting pitches, so he should be a factor at Sharjah – a ground where he has taken three wickets in two matches at an economy rate of 6.00.
South Africa:
- Quinton de Kock has a strong record against England. In eight innings, de Kock has struck 289 runs at an average of 36.13 and strike rate of 169.01. He also has a similar record at Sharjah: 185 runs in six innings at an average of 37.00 and strike rate of 131.21.
- Aiden Markram is South Africa’s highest run-scorer in this T20 World Cup (110 runs, avg. 36.66, SR 127.90). This will be his first game against England, and he comes into this match on the back of an excellent year to date: 15 inns, 518 runs, avg. 39.84, SR 144.69.
- Rassie van der Dussen was South Africa’s top run-scorer in England’s tour of South Africa in late 2020. He scored 136 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 152.80 (one dismissal).
- Dwaine Pretorius has taken seven wickets in his last three matches (3,17, 3/17, 1/11).
- Anrich Nortje is in outstanding form. The fast bowler has taken eight wickets in four matches in this World Cup at an average of 8.75 and economy rate of 4.57. He enjoys bowling at this ground, with 12 scalps in seven matches.
- Tabraiz Shamsi has taken just six wickets in eight matches vs England at an average of 40.80. However, he is likely to enjoy the Sharjah conditions a lot more. He took 3/17 against Sri Lanka on this ground.
Stats and Facts
- Head-to-head: Matches 22, England 11, South Africa 9, N/R 2.
- England beat South Africa 3-0 in their tour in late 2020. In fact, they have won their last five matches against them.
- South Africa’s top five have the fourth lowest strike rate in the Super 12s (107.52). Only Scotland, Bangladesh and Namibia have lower. England have the highest – 137.10.
- Eoin Morgan spent important time at the crease vs Sri Lanka (40). He has a solid record against South Africa: 16 inns, 385 runs, avg. 32.08, SR 147.51.
- Jason Roy vs South Africa: 12 inns, 317 runs, avg. 26.42, SR 148.13. Can he handle the low bounce of Sharjah?
- Kagiso Rabada vs England: 5 inns, 6 wickets, avg. 27.33, econ. 8.41.
Possible Playing 11
Mark Wood is likely to come in for Tymal Mills, who is now out of the tournament with injury.
England: 1. Jason Roy, 2. Jos Buttler (wk), 3. Dawid Malan, 4. Jonny Bairstow, 5. Liam Livingstone, 6. Eoin Morgan (c), 7. Moeen Ali, 8. Chris Woakes, 9. Chris Jordan, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Mark Wood
South Africa are likely to remain unchanged.
South Africa: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Reeza Hendricks, 3. Temba Bavuma (c), 4. Aiden Markram, 5. Rassie van der Dussen, 6. David Miller, 7. Dwaine Pretorius, 8. Kagiso Rabada, 9. Keshav Maharaj, 10. Anrich Nortje, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi
Sharjah Pitch Report and Weather
Expect another slow, low Sharjah track. The team batting first has won three of the last four matches, with any score above 140 proving to be a very tough chase. The same is likely to apply here on a surface that is typically tough to score quickly on.
A clear evening is forecast, with dew likely in the second innings.
Dream11 Prediction
Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.
Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction
Base team:
- Wicket-keepers: Jos Buttler
- Batsmen: Dawid Malan, Temba Bavuma
- All-rounders: Aiden Markram, Moeen Ali
- Bowlers: Anrich Nortje, Chris Jordan
Also read: Fan2Play vs Dream11 – What’s the difference?
Match Prediction
If the team batting first can score above 160, they should win this crunch match.