Having claimed a series win from their ODI tour to Australia, the Proteas are now in England for another white ball series. They will start up with three ODIs before playing a further three T20Is.
England v South Africa | 1st ODI | Tuesday, 2nd September | Headingley, Leeds | 2:00pm
Having claimed a series win from their ODI tour to Australia, the Proteas are now in England for another white ball series. They will start up with three ODIs before playing a further three T20Is.
South Africa have won four of their last five ODIs against England.
The Proteas are currently the sixth ranked ODI side according to the ICC, while England are ranked eighth.
Rassie van der Dussen, who has not been included in the touring squad is South Africa’s highest ranked batsman according to the ICC. He’s in 15th place on the ICC rankings, one spot ahead of England’s top ranked player Ben Duckett.
Keshav Maharaj is the world’s top ranked ODI bowler.
Tearaway quick Sonny Baker is set to make his England debut at some point in the series. Capable of hitting speeds in excess of 140kph, Baker has been in good form in the England domestic season playing for Hampshire and Manchester Originals.
Leg-spinning allrounder Rehan Ahmed, who was the youngest player ever to appear in a Test for England, has been recalled for the ODI series. Ahmed has played six previous ODIs for England, taking 10 wickets at an average of 23.30.
England have yet to lose an ODI since Harry Brook was appointed skipper after the Champions Trophy. With Brook at the helm England three from three (all against the West Indies).
Venue: Headingley, Leeds
South Africa has a very bad record at Headingley. They have played five ODIs there and are yet to win. They have lost four and one ended as a no result.
England have won 21 of the 35 ODIs they have played in Leeds.
Sides batting second at Headingley tend to do better than those batting first – of the 47 ODIs at the ground, the side chasing has won 26 times. The side batting first has won 18 and there have been three no results.
The average first innings score at Headingley is a very modest 228.
England boast both the highest and lowest scores recorded at the ground. Their 351 for nine against Pakistan in 2019 is the highest ever ODI score at the venue while their 93 all out against Australia in 1975 is the lowest.
Joe Root is a quite exceptional batsman; his ODI average is an outstanding 49.14. But that average is modest when compared to his stats at Headingly, a venue he clearly loves, and which is his home ground. Root has played seven ODIs at the venue and bagged two centuries for an average of 84.20.
Weather:
The weather forecast for Leeds on Tuesday is not great, with rain predicted. Indeed, it is not only due to rain on Tuesday but on every day in the lead-up to the ODI from Saturday. It is still summer in Yorkshire, so we might not be looking at solid rain for the whole day, but don’t be surprised if there are interruptions. On the plus side the temperature will be chilly to moderate with a maximum, for the day of 17 degrees.
Form (most recent game first):
England: W, W, W, L, L.
South Africa: L, W, W, L, W.
Key player:
England, Joe Root: The Yorkshireman has an outstanding record at Headingley and South Africa will have their work cut out trying to keep the veteran batter in check. Root is one of the greatest batsmen of his generation. His lowest ever ODI score at Headingley is 30, but he has two tons and two fifties at the ground. HIs last few outings for the Trent Rockets in The Hundred were moderate, but as is always the case with Root, there are always runs around him – he made an undefeated 64 and a 76 in The Hundred less than ten days ago.
South Africa, Dewald Brevis: Brevis had a taste of English conditions earlier in the season and he liked them. Since he first appeared for Hampshire, his international career has blossomed, and he was quite the hit in Australia where his ability to clear the ropes dazzled the usually hard to impress Aussies. Brevis is currently being used as a power-hitter at six for the Proteas, a position that often means no time for big scores, but opportunity for quick runs. Look out for him. He can change the course of a game in a matter of overs.
Verdict: England
South Africa come into the series on the back of a series win in Australia, but they arrive at Headingley, a venue where their record is very poor. Yet to win an ODI at the ground they will find themselves up against a resurgent England with Joe Root operating at one of his favourite grounds. While South Africa undoubtedly has the ability to win, expect England to leave Yorkshire with the win – although it may be rain that has the ultimate say on the outcome.
