- Date: Saturday October 21, 09:30 BST
- Location: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India
- Teams: England vs South Africs
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England need result against South Africa after two defeats in three
England face South Africa in Mumbai desperate for a victory to get their World Cup campaign back on track after two defeats in their opening three matches. South Africa impressed in their first two matches and have been newly installed as second favourites. However, they suffered a shock defeat to the Netherlands in their third match on Tuesday, hardly ideal preparation for Saturday’s clash with England.
England
Defending champions England lost the opening match of the tournament against New Zealand and after a win against Bangladesh, the defeat to Afghanistan means that it is vital they get a result against South Africa on Saturday. England are boosted by the return of Ben Stokes, who missed the first three matches with injury.
England squad:
Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes.
South Africa
South Africa have never made a Cricket World Cup final. They have made four semi-finals and lost on each occasion. They have started in impressive fashion in India and will be hoping to make a serious challenge having been installed as second favourites behind the hosts.
Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram all hit centuries in a tournament record 428 against Sri Lanka in a 102-run win.
De Kock made another ton in the 134-run hammering of a struggling Australian team.
However, a shock defeat against the Dutch in their third game on Tuesday means that the pressure is on to avoid another defeat against England.
South Africa Squad:
Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.
England in a difficult position, but don’t write off the holders yet
England are not yet out of the World Cup but they can probably afford just one more defeat in their remaining six Group Stage matches. Pakistan failed to make the semi-finals in 2019 having won five and lost three (one NR) of their nine matches.
England are still due to play the top two favourites in the latest outright odds for the tournament – host India (best price 5/4) and South Africa (9/2).
At the time of writing, England can be backed at a best price of 9/1 at bet365 to win the World Cup. England are 3/1 to reach the final at BoyleSports having been 5/4 before their first match with the same bookmaker.
Prediction
It is do or die for England and they have some big game players so it would not be a surprise if they got their act together and came away with a win. The Dutch game aside, South Africa are the form team and even if England give a good account of themselves there is a chance that current form and confidence will prevail. However, the Netherlands game will be a dent in South Africa’s confidence and England, who have suffered two defeats are even more desperate to get the win. We think England, who are currently favourites with most bookies, will get the win, though it may well be close.
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