A semi-final place is at stake as the Super 8s enter the final few fixtures; read our England v South Africa Preview for betting tips ahead of Friday’s fixture. Both teams won their opening games in this phase, with the Proteas stretched by the United States on Wednesday afternoon before the Three Lions later beat the West Indies more convincingly. But South Africa will be confident of success after taming the Three Lions in three of their four most recent T20 meetings.
England v South Africa Preview Flat Track Bullies
England and South Africa are two closely-matched teams in terms of recent T20I results with Jos Buttler’s side currently sitting fourth in the ICC rankings and Aiden Markram’s men just one place below them. The head-to-head record shows 12 wins apiece with one no result, but the Proteas have had the upper hand recently, with three wins in the last four matches.
They beat England in a dead rubber group stage game at the 2021 T20 World Cup and then took a three-match series in England 2-1 in July 2022. On each occasion, they defended formidable totals and their preference is still to bat first in this format. England are content to chase down totals, as was evidenced by their triumph over the Windies when they accelerated towards their target between overs 15-18.
Buttler’s side will have a pretty good idea of what constitutes a good score at Daren Sammy National Stadium now and will probably have a bit more information about the conditions than South Africa. It is perhaps no surprise that England have regained their confidence after getting a couple of flat tracks to bat on.
England v South Africa Preview: Heavy Hitters
The likes of Buttler, Phil Salt, Johnny Bairstow and Harry Brook are all built to exploit such conditions and, while South Africa have big hitters in their ranks too, England’s bowling variety probably trumps them here. The Proteas’ death bowling remains a particular area of concern after Markram’s men conceded a staggering 64 runs in the final four overs against the Americans on Wednesday.
England’s opening pair have been laying solid foundations in the West Indies with Salt and Buttler putting on 67 for the first wicket against the co-hosts and building an opening stand of 73 against Australia. The average opening partnership when they have batted together for England in this format is an impressive 56.92
England v South Africa Preview: Archer Primed
The return to England colours of Jofra Archer has been one of the great stories of the T20 World Cup and he is showing how much he was missed in the 50-over format last winter. The Sussex paceman has returned figures of 1-28, 3-12, 1-15 and 1-34 in the Three Lions’ four completed matches and has the second-best tournament economy rate of England’s bowlers.
Archer has never been on a losing side against the Proteas in this format, as England won all three T20Is with him in the side when they last toured South Africa before injuries prevented him from facing them again until now. And he should trouble a brittle South African top order with his top-end speed, accuracy and clever use of slower deliveries.
England v South Africa Preview: T20 World Cup Tips
England to win @ 1.65 with kwiff
England Total At 1st Dismissal – Over 25.5 @ 1.85 with kwiff
Jofra Archer to be England Top Bowler @ 3.85 with kwiff
By Simon Barlow
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