England vs South Africa First ODI Preview – Copybet
England have not played cricket since their pulsating 2-2 Test draw with India over a month ago and they return to action against South Africa in the first of a three-game ODI series at Headingley.
The last time that these two met the Proteas knocked England out of the Champions Trophy, bringing to an end the Jos Buttler era.
His replacement as captain of the hosts, Harry Brook, has won all six white-ball games that he has been in charge for, but faces his biggest challenge yet against South Africa.
The visitors are fresh from a 2-1 ODI series win in Australia and have won four of the last five meetings between these two teams in this format so should pose a stern challenge.
England vs South Africa
Headingley has typically been a real batter’s paradise this summer but the forecast for this opening ODI means that the run line of 574.5 looks on the steep side.
Showers are forecast throughout the day in Leeds and a rain-shortened match appears increasingly likely.
While there are impressive batting talents who can rack up the score quickly on both teams, the weather looks likely to intervene and mean that they simply don’t have the time to get the runs. Take under the total.
England vs South Africa
South Africa may have welcomed back their star bowler Kagiso Rabada to their squad for this series, but he is being given this first game off as he recovers from an ankle injury which kept him out of the series win in Australia.
In his absence, Lungi Ngidi will lead the Proteas attack and he looks like a very solid selection to be the visitors’ top bowler.
Ngidi took seven wickets in the two ODIs that he played against Australia, with impressive figures of 5/42 in his most recent appearance.
To add to that, the forecast cloudy weather conditions should give a real advantage to the pace bowlers.
Ngidi has a very solid record against England, taking 34 wickets in white-ball cricket against these opponents at an average of 19.08. Side with him to be the tourists’ top bowler at Headingley.