The ICC World Cup 2023 is set to witness a crucial clash between England and South Africa in Mumbai on Saturday, October 21. The ENG vs SA holds immense significance for both teams, making it a must-win encounter at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
England’s campaign in the tournament has been somewhat shaky, having faced two losses out of the three games played. They commenced the competition with a defeat against New Zealand but managed to bounce back with a convincing 137-run victory over Bangladesh in Delhi.
However, a shocking loss to Afghanistan in their previous match dealt a significant blow to their campaign, dropping them to the fifth position on the points table.
On the other hand, South Africa experienced an unexpected setback when they were defeated by the Netherlands in their last match, one of the major upsets in the tournament. They were unable to chase a target of 246, but despite this loss, the Proteas continue to hold the third position on the points table.
The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is renowned for being a high-scoring venue, where teams often prefer to chase targets. With the match being an afternoon fixture, the team batting second is likely to gain an advantage due to the dew factor setting in.
In their previous encounter, England struggled against Afghanistan’s spinners, highlighting a significant weakness in their batting lineup.
However, they now find themselves at a batting-friendly venue, and their aim will be to pile up a substantial score against South Africa. The two losses incurred by England have adversely affected their net run rate, making a commanding performance all the more crucial.
Notably, there are reports suggesting that Ben Stokes is likely to return to the lineup against South Africa. His absence has coincided with England’s losses in two out of three matches, and his inclusion could provide a significant boost to the team.
Moeen Ali, who played the opener and was benched for the subsequent two games, is also expected to return and partner with Adil Rashid in the bowling department.
South Africa’s much-acclaimed batting lineup faced a setback in their inability to chase down a modest total of 246 against the Netherlands in their previous match.
This loss has raised questions about their ability to perform under pressure. However, South Africa is still regarded as a title contender in the World Cup and is expected to put forth their best effort against England.
In this match, their batsmen will aim to make a strong impact, while their bowlers will strive to replicate their strong performance against Australia in Lucknow.
Although the pace attack will be without Anrich Nortje, they possess enough firepower to challenge the defending champions. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to secure a much-needed victory on their World Cup journey.
ENG vs SA Predicted Playing XI
England: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (c & wk), Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, 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, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Gerald Coetzee
