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- Oct 2, 2004
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England's report card in their last eight ODIs reads: One win over eight matches. The latest of their losses came in an ODI against South Africa in Bloemfontein, where they slipped from 146 for no loss in 19.3 overs to 271 all out in pursuit of 299.
The worrying part for England is, since winning the 2019 World Cup, it has become a bit of a recurring theme to collapse from a position of strength. The crux of England's problem has been due to hectic schedules, they aren't able to play their best XI over a period of time. To encapsulate the point, for the ongoing ODI series against South Africa, the mainstay of the batting order, Joe Root, was rested. And his presence was sorely missed as England lost wickets at regular intervals after Jason Roy and Dawid Malan had given a rousing start.
In Root's absence, the onus was on Ben Duckett and Harry Brook to shoulder the responsibility, but both of them contributed just three runs in total. The duo would be looking to put on a better show in the second game at the same ground. The think tank also have to keep an eye on Moeen Ali's barren run in the 50-over format. The all-rounder has compiled just 718 runs in 61 ODIs and at an average of 18.89 since the start of 2018. To make matters worse, he doesn't have a single fifty to his name in that period in ODIs and averages almost 50 with the ball.
Will Jacks, who is a part of England's Test squad for the New Zealand series, and Liam Livingstone (currently injured) could come into the equation to replace Moeen in the near-future. But for now, England look set to continue with Moeen, with the all-rounder providing an extra bowling option. Amidst a few worry lines, the one silver lining for England was Roy finding some of his mojo back with a superlative hundred. On the bowling side of things, Jofra Archer went for 81 runs on his return to England side. With Mark Wood rested for the series, England need Archer to step up and spearhead the attack.
Meanwhile, the home side have enough positives to take from the opening game. Rassie van der Dussen continued to shine brightly in the 50-over arena and composed his fourth ODI ton. The experienced middle order bat, David Miller, also was among the runs, cracking a fifty. Anrich Nortje, the side's fastest bowler, was expensive in his first spell but turned out to be the ebullient energizer with the old ball and finished with a four-for. Sisanda Magala also was among the wickets, taking a three-for.
South African skipper Temba Bavuma would hope for more of the same from his players in the second match as they eye a series win. South Africa are also on flimsy footing in the World Cup Super League, and they have to win all their remaining four ODIs (two against England and two against the Netherlands) to ensure direct qualification to the World Cup. Otherwise, they have to depend on other results.
When: January 29, 2023; 10.00 AM local
Where: Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein
What to expect: The track for the first game was flat and good for batting. Although, there was a bit of spongy bounce. If the same track is used for the second match, we could see a little more of that spongy bounce. It is also a day game and that could mean a touch more seam movement for the bowlers upfront.
Team news:
South Africa:
The hosts look set to play the same XI that posted a come-from-behind win in the opening game.
Possible XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Sisanda Magala, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi
England:
Ben Duckett and Harry Brook could get another game, especially with Phil Salt suffering from an illness. The veteran pace bowler Chris Woakes or Reece Topley could make it to the XI.
Possible XI: Jason Roy, Dawid Malan, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c & wk), Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, David Willey, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Olly Stone/Reece Topley/Chris Woakes
What they said:
"Disappointing, we played excellent cricket for a majority of that game. To be in a position like we were after that opening stand, it's disappointing not to finish it off," Jos Buttler said after the opening ODI.
Squads:
England Squad: Jason Roy, Dawid Malan, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler(w/c), Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, David Willey, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, Philip Salt, Chris Woakes
South Africa Squad: Quinton de Kock(w), Temba Bavuma(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Sisanda Magala, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi, Janneman Malan, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Reeza Hendricks
The worrying part for England is, since winning the 2019 World Cup, it has become a bit of a recurring theme to collapse from a position of strength. The crux of England's problem has been due to hectic schedules, they aren't able to play their best XI over a period of time. To encapsulate the point, for the ongoing ODI series against South Africa, the mainstay of the batting order, Joe Root, was rested. And his presence was sorely missed as England lost wickets at regular intervals after Jason Roy and Dawid Malan had given a rousing start.
In Root's absence, the onus was on Ben Duckett and Harry Brook to shoulder the responsibility, but both of them contributed just three runs in total. The duo would be looking to put on a better show in the second game at the same ground. The think tank also have to keep an eye on Moeen Ali's barren run in the 50-over format. The all-rounder has compiled just 718 runs in 61 ODIs and at an average of 18.89 since the start of 2018. To make matters worse, he doesn't have a single fifty to his name in that period in ODIs and averages almost 50 with the ball.
Will Jacks, who is a part of England's Test squad for the New Zealand series, and Liam Livingstone (currently injured) could come into the equation to replace Moeen in the near-future. But for now, England look set to continue with Moeen, with the all-rounder providing an extra bowling option. Amidst a few worry lines, the one silver lining for England was Roy finding some of his mojo back with a superlative hundred. On the bowling side of things, Jofra Archer went for 81 runs on his return to England side. With Mark Wood rested for the series, England need Archer to step up and spearhead the attack.
Meanwhile, the home side have enough positives to take from the opening game. Rassie van der Dussen continued to shine brightly in the 50-over arena and composed his fourth ODI ton. The experienced middle order bat, David Miller, also was among the runs, cracking a fifty. Anrich Nortje, the side's fastest bowler, was expensive in his first spell but turned out to be the ebullient energizer with the old ball and finished with a four-for. Sisanda Magala also was among the wickets, taking a three-for.
South African skipper Temba Bavuma would hope for more of the same from his players in the second match as they eye a series win. South Africa are also on flimsy footing in the World Cup Super League, and they have to win all their remaining four ODIs (two against England and two against the Netherlands) to ensure direct qualification to the World Cup. Otherwise, they have to depend on other results.
When: January 29, 2023; 10.00 AM local
Where: Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein
What to expect: The track for the first game was flat and good for batting. Although, there was a bit of spongy bounce. If the same track is used for the second match, we could see a little more of that spongy bounce. It is also a day game and that could mean a touch more seam movement for the bowlers upfront.
Team news:
South Africa:
The hosts look set to play the same XI that posted a come-from-behind win in the opening game.
Possible XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Sisanda Magala, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi
England:
Ben Duckett and Harry Brook could get another game, especially with Phil Salt suffering from an illness. The veteran pace bowler Chris Woakes or Reece Topley could make it to the XI.
Possible XI: Jason Roy, Dawid Malan, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c & wk), Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, David Willey, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Olly Stone/Reece Topley/Chris Woakes
What they said:
"Disappointing, we played excellent cricket for a majority of that game. To be in a position like we were after that opening stand, it's disappointing not to finish it off," Jos Buttler said after the opening ODI.
Squads:
England Squad: Jason Roy, Dawid Malan, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler(w/c), Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, David Willey, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, Philip Salt, Chris Woakes
South Africa Squad: Quinton de Kock(w), Temba Bavuma(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Sisanda Magala, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi, Janneman Malan, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Reeza Hendricks
