ENG vs SA | 1st ODI | The Numbers Game
After losing badly in both white-ball formats against India, England are set to lock horns with South Africa in the first ODI of the three-match series in Chester-le-Street today.
England will try to get back on the winning track, putting behind their disappointing show in the recently concluded white-ball series against India.
On the other hand, South Africa, coming after their disastrous home series defeat against Bangladesh, will aim to start their UK tour on a winning note.
What to expect from the competition?
So, we might see 522 runs being scored for the loss of 15 wickets in today’s match.
How England and South Africa have fared at the venue?
What to expect from the surface?
Since 2012, fast bowlers have picked 74.13 per cent of the total wickets at this venue, indicating the track's conduciveness for fast bowling.
However, batters have also enjoyed decent success here, evident from the average run rate of 5.38 in this period.
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What should be the ideal strategy for the toss-winning team?
To find a reasonable answer to this question, we have considered two things, viz. the comparative average performance of the teams and the outcomes of the matches at this venue since 2012.
Comparative analysis of teams at Riverside ground since 2012:
Key Points:
- We can clearly see that the average score for teams batting second exceeds that for teams batting first by a margin of nine runs at this venue since 2012.
- It indicates that the surface of the riverside ground becomes better for batting with the game's progression.
- Apart from these two facts, the seamers have a terrific powerplay economy of 4.79 in the first innings at this venue since 2012.
Conclusion:
Considering all these facts, we conclude that the pacers will get some assistance early on, with batting becoming significantly easier with time. Therefore, the toss-winner should ideally opt to chase at this venue.
 "Debashis Sarangi")
