The second One Day International of the three-match series between South Africa and England is scheduled to be played at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Sunday. Both the teams will be well-versed with the playing conditions as they locked horns in the first ODI at the same venue.
The Proteas have taken a significant lead of 1-0 in the One-Day format owing to a 27-run victory in the first match. The bowlers deserve all the credit for the success of the team. Sisanda Magala played a major role and ended up winning the player of the match award for picking three crucial wickets. He was equally supported by Anrich Nortje, who scalped four wickets.
Meanwhile, the batters also looked in good shape as they racked up a good score of 298 runs in the first innings. However, there is a lot of scope for improvement on the England side as they failed to make a mark both with the bat and ball. It is time for the bowlers to be consistent with their line and length, while the batters also need to show character and score truckloads of runs for the team.
Coming to the playing XI, both South Africa and England are unlikely to tamper settled combinations. They will be looking forward to backing the same team and delivering an extraordinary performance on Sunday during the second One Day International.
What has happened so far?
South Africa did not fare well in their last three-match ODI series as they lost to India by 1-2 in away playing conditions. However, the team has beautifully redeemed itself by playing in home conditions against England. The hosts are leading the 50-over format by 1-0 after winning the first One Day International by 27 runs.
It was a brilliant bowling performance by the Proteas that scripted the downfall of the England cricket team. Winning the toss, the South African skipper Temba Bavuma elected to bat first, and it proved to be the winning decision.
Following a rusty start, Rassie van der Dussen played one of the best knocks of his ODI career to steer his team to a total of 298 runs in their allotted 50 overs. Apart from Dussen’s century, David Miller also made it to the headlines for his excellent performance. He gave moral support by scoring fifty off 56 balls at a strike rate of 94.64.
Chasing the total, England made brilliant efforts with Jason Roy smacking a century; 113 runs off 91 balls. The opening batter stitched a crucial 146 runs with Dawid Malan as the latter added 50 runs to the scoreboard.
However, the credit goes to South African bowlers, especially Anrich Nortje, as he picked four wickets at an impressive economy rate of 5.1. Following the victory, South Africa needs one more win to take the trophy home while England will have the last chance to make a comeback in the series.
Head to Head Record
England will have the last chance to make a comeback in the series and level the scores
South Africa has clashed with England in a total of 67 matches in the history of ODI cricket. The Proteas have an edge when it comes to head-to-head records as they have scored a win 32 times while the Englishmen have scored a victory in 29 matches.
One 50-over game between the two teams ended in a draw while five matches were washed mostly due to interruption by weather.
Key Players
Jason Roy (England)
The opening batter Jason Roy was the only positive for the England team in the first ODI as they recorded a loss by 27 runs. While chasing a good score of 298 runs, the 32-year-old batter came up with a brilliant knock of 113 runs. He took up to 91 balls and hit 11 boundaries and four sixes.
Roy is also an experienced ODI batter with 4106 runs to his name in 111 matches. Thus, the chances of him spilling his magic once again on the 22-yard pitch are high on Sunday.
Rassie van der Dussen (South Africa)
South Africa also had a centurion in their team in the form of the top-order batter Rassie van der Dussen. The team managed to rack up a score of 298 runs in their allotted 50 overs as Rassie came up with a knock of 111 runs.
He has been doing a brilliant job in the One Day Internationals in the past few months and thus is likely to play a key role for the hosts on Sunday as well.
Predicted Playing XI
South Africa: Temba Bavuma(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Sisanda Magala, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi
England: Jason Roy, Dawid Malan, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler(w/c), Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, David Willey, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Olly Stone
Prediction
The South African cricket team is a beast when it comes to playing at home conditions. They scored a brilliant win in the first One Day International by 27 runs and are likely to continue the momentum on Sunday as well.
The Proteas will be heading into the second ODI as favorites as we are backing them to take an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the three-match series which is much needed for their direct qualification for the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup.
Having said that, England will be providing a good fight as they have an excellent set of batters and bowlers on their team.