Mark Wood Out, Buttler To Bring In Atkinson? England’s Probable XI vs South Africa

Aakash Saini

Gus Atkinson likely to return [Source: @surreycricket/x]Gus Atkinson likely to return [Source: @surreycricket/x]

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The English cricket team will face unbeaten South Africa in their final Group B match of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy on Saturday, March 1 at the National Stadium in Karachi. After falling to humiliating defeats against Australia and Afghanistan, Jos Buttler’s troops have already bowed out of the competition’s semifinals race.

Amidst their ongoing struggles, firebrand opener Ben Duckett has emerged as one of the leading run-getters of the tournament with over 200 runs in just two innings. He belted an imperial 165 from just 143 balls against Australia, and followed it up with another cracking 38 against Afghanistan.

Joe Root also scored a fighting century against Afghanistan, minting 120 runs off 111 balls in a failed chase of 326. In terms of bowling, pace demon Jofra Archer and part-time spinner Liam Livingstone have snared the highest number of wickets this 2025 ICC Champions Trophy among all English bowlers. Ahead of England’s final Group B match against South Africa, we look at the team’s probable playing XI.

Will England Get Gus Atkinson?

Gus Atkinson ODI Stats thus far

Criterion
Data
Matches11
Wickets13
Average40.53
Economy6.69

While Gus Atkinson is yet to light up the ODI stage on fire, England’s outbound captain Jos Buttler might well be tempted to bring in the 27-year-old for his team’s final match of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. One of Buttler’s primary pace exponents, Mark Wood injured himself during England’s previous match against Afghanistan.

While Wood is likely to undergo a surgery upon returning back home, it remains a likely possibility that he will be replaced by Gus Atkinson.

Any other changes?

Struggling opener Phil Salt might also be dropped by the English team management over his repeated batting failures in the ongoing 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. With Tom Banton sitting on the bench for a while, coupled with England’s early exit from the competition, Jos Buttler might bring back the young wicketkeeper-batter into the playing XI.

England’s probable XI vs South Africa

Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Jofra Archer, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid and Gus Atkinson.