World Cup 2023, Match 20 | England Predicted XI vs South Africa

image-lnykbpd1Jos Buttler will be eager to get England back to the winning ways (Source: AP Photos)

Two teams that were on the wrong side of an upset recently are set to collide against one another in match 20 of the 2023 World Cup. South Africa and England will be locking horns in the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai in the second game of a doubleheader Saturday. This will also be the first game in the iconic Stadium that staged the epic final of 2011 World Cup.

South Africa have four points from three matches and were playing like the tournament beaters until their chole against the Netherlands. The team that smashed the highest-ever total in the World Cup a week back was found struggling to chase 245 runs against the Dutch.

For more such reads, click here.

On the other hand, England have blown hot and cold in the tourney so far. They were drubbed by a New Zealand unit without Kane Williamson and Tim Southee in the competition opener. They did make a strong comeback in their next assignment against Bangladesh but faltered against Afghanistan in their latest encounter.

The Atalans spinner tricked the English batters and emerged on the top. The English side would like to forget the past and look forward to what's in store. To their jubilation, Ben Stokes is fit to be available for this particular encounter and let us have a look how the England predicted XI sounds against South Africa.


Openers: Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan

England have forged a dynamic duo in Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan for the World Cup 2023. With no Jason Roy, Malan has been superb with the bat in hand for the Three Lions so far. He was brilliant against Bangladesh and scored a ton in that game. Bairstow flourished in that particular contest as well. They also adds the right and left handed combination at the top of the batting order.


Middle Order: Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook and Jos Buttler.

England's middle order has been bolstered with the inclusion of Ben Stokes. The New Zealand-bred cricketer has been deemed fit for the South African challenge in Wankhede and Harry Brook's recent fifty against Afghanistan means he may have retained his position. He was the only one who looked stable against Afghan threat recently.

In addition, Root and Buttler has been one of the positives with the bat for England. Actually, it's Joe Root who shut the critics with back-to-back half-centuries to kickoff his World Cup campaign. There have been brisk contribution from the skipper with the bat but he has been topsy turvy.


All-rounders: Liam Livingstone and Chris Woakes

England may prune one all-rounder in their line-up for this clash to fit Ben Stokes. In that case, either Sam Curran or Liam Livingstone may miss out. But the author understands that Livingstone's presence adds more batting depth and hence he could be the likely option to retain the spot. Livingstone and Root may also couple together to fill the fifth bowler's quota.

Chris Woakes will be the other all-rounder for England. He is someone who can operate sharply with the new ball. Woakes is an experienced customer and adds batting depth as well.


Bowlers: Adil Rashid, Reece Topley and Mark Wood

Adil Rashid will be the premier spinner of the England side in this battle against South Africa. He will be a key asset to regulate the middle overs for England. Another key asset in the middle.over regulation will be Mark Wood. He has sheer pace and can be threat to the South African batters on the Wankhede surface that assists the seamers. Wood will operate more in the second and third powerplay.

Reece Topley has been a revelation in recent times with his ability to bowl the Yorkers as well as get the lateral movement with the new ball. His four-for against Bangladesh in their second game of the marquee-event broke the backbone of the Bangladesh batters. Topley also adds that left-arm pacer's variation in the unit.

England Predicted XI

Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler(c/wk), Liam Livingstone, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley, and Mark Wood.