Upsets are a part of big World events be it in any sport. Cricket being the 2nd most followed sport in the world is no different. Afghanistan and Netherlands lit the 2023 World Cup on fire by turning the tables around against England & South Africa respectively. The losing teams of these upsets will be up against each other on 21st October at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Team Preview
England
The defending champions have had a shallow middle order & an average new-ball bowling so far in the tournament. Jofra Archer did join the England team camp but just to continue his rehab. He might make a surprise international comeback in this tournament but isn’t expected to play tomorrow. England may replace any of Woakes & Sam Curran with David Willey and Ben Stokes may also make a comeback if available. There are many possibilities so it will be interesting to see that with what final Eleven England will enter the field.
South Africa
South Africa has only one visible weakness in their team but that weakness has been the reason for their many recent losses in the format. It’s the death bowling. With Anrich Nortje not playing in this tournament captain Bavuma is forced to use Rabada at one end in death overs which isn’t really his strength in this format of the game.
South Africa unlike England isn’t expected to make any changes to their side because all eleven players have earned their spot through consistent performance in the last 10-12 ODIs and look settled, one bad performance shouldn’t really panic them but they’re South Africa after all so things might go the other way as well.
Probable Playing XI
England: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (c) (wk), Liam Livingstone, David Willey, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Reece Topley
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
Pitch Report
This will be the first game at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai for this tournament. The nature of the pitch is generally batting friendly and so has been the case with other venues in this tournament, so this game is expected to be a high-scoring one, especially with two heavyweight batting lineups playing against each other.
Players To Watch Out For
Quinton De Kock
Quinny started his last Odi World Cup in style with consecutive centuries in the first 2 games. He did face a failure against the Netherlands but he loves playing at Wankhede which was his home ground in IPL for 3 seasons. He also loves playing against the English side and averages 60 against them with a Strike rate of 98 in ODIs. He scored a match-winning century against India back in 2015 in a series decider and also scored a quick 50 against England in the t20 World Cup at the same venue. So with all these sorts of records, he is expected to score big.
Reece Topley
The Last time these two teams faced each other in an ICC event in India was 7 years back at the same venue. Reece Topley opened the bowling but was punished heavily by Amla & Quinny and was taken off the attack 2 overs later.
7 years have passed, and things have changed.
Today Topley is arguably the best new ball bowler in the world. He is now leading his team’s bowling attack in the World Cup and has been their best bowler so far. During their first 2 wins, South Africa got a good start from their top 3 and that is exactly what Topley has to stop from happening. If he manages to do what Henry & Boult have done continuously for New Zealand then his team will be very well on course of winning the game and coming back into the tournament.
ENG vs SA Dream11 Team for Match 20 of 2023 WC
Note: This is not our final Dream11 Team as we are not aware of the Toss Result/Final Playing XI of both teams at this moment.
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