Sports Mole looks ahead to Friday’s first one-day international match between South Africa and England, to be played at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein.
England Begin 2023 with a three-game ODI series South Africaas they prepare to defend the World Over-50 Championship to be held in India later this year.
Both teams will be eager to start the series with a win when they meet at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Friday.
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After being eliminated from the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup after a surprise 13-round loss to the Netherlands, Markus Boucher resigned from his post as head coach.
Cricket South Africa then decided to split the roles and name names Shukri Conrad and Rob Walter as head coach of the Test and Limited Overs sides respectively.
With both coaches not taking up their duties until February, the less established members of the South Africa squad will be keen to impress Walter, who will no doubt be keeping a close eye on the ODI series with England.
The three games against England will take on greater significance for the hosts, who are currently battling Ireland, Sri Lanka and the West Indies in the World Cup Super League for the last automatic qualifier to the 50-over World Cup.
South Africa will need to complete a run against England and win their two ODIs against the Netherlands in March and April if they want to qualify automatically. Otherwise, they will have to secure their place in India via a 10-team qualifier tournament.
Meanwhile, England are preparing for a busy year in both red-ball and white-ball formats after winning the T20 World Cup in November, with an Ashes series and an ODI World Cup awaiting them before the end of 2023 wait.
Although England may be the reigning champions, the tourists come to South Africa with a point to prove after playing a draw and losing two of their previous three ODI series, including a 3-0 loss to Australia in November.
captain If butler could be the first to point out that the loss to Australia had mitigating circumstances as the streak began four days after England’s T20 World Cup triumph while a number of fringe players were given valuable playing time.
Although England have not played in Australia since the Whitewash series, several members of their squad have been kept busy over the winter, competing in the various T20 leagues around the world, but the focus returns to international cricket in Bloemfontein.
With just 13 ODIs separating England until the start of their World Cup defence, every game will be crucial for the manager Matthew Mott and Butler to determine who should take part in the tournament in India.
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A South African team that is captained by Temba they agreed is expected to opt for an opening pairing of Quinton de Kock and Janneman Malan.
Anrich Nordje will try to intimidate the English batting lineup with his fierce pace, which can comfortably hit the 90mph mark.
Much luck, Kagiso Rabada and Markus Jansen could all be involved, underscoring the quality of the hosts in their close-range attack Keshav Maharaj and Tabriz Shamsi provides the spin options.
As for tourists, eight members of their squad have already spent at least a couple of weeks in the country taking part in the inaugural edition of the SA20 league.
Jofra Archer was one of those to play in franchise competition after returning from injury and he will play for England for the first time since a T20I against India in March 2021.
After being named Player of the Tournament at the T20 World Cup, Sam Curran will want to play a key role in this Harry Bach could make its first ODI appearance.
Squad South Africa:
Temba Bavuma (Captain), Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen, Rassie van der Dussen, Keshav Maharaj, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Sisanda Magala, Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada , Tabriz Shamsi
England squad:
Jos Buttler (Captain), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Phil Salt, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes
We say: England wins
Despite England having to deal with South Africa’s dangerous bowling attack we believe they have the quality with the racquet to make a respectable total or start a chase and we believe a side strengthened by Archer’s return , will be able to start the series with a win.
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