The South African cricket team go up against the English cricket team in the first ODI of England’s tour of South Africa. The match will commence at 4:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) on Friday, January 27, 2023, at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein.
England, who won the T20 World Cup last year, have not been in great 50-over form. In November 2022, Jos Buttler and Co. were cleanswept 0-3 by Australia Down Under in their last One Day International series.
Meanwhile, South Africa are in a spot of bother in their bid to make a direct entry into the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India this year. Unlike England, who have secured their place, the Proteas are currently 11th in the points table.
If South Africa win all of their remaining five ODI matches, they will confirm their ticket to India. The Proteas will also directly qualify if they win three, while Ireland and Sri Lanka do not win more than two.
South Africa suffered a 1-2 series defeat against India in October 2022. However, in their most recent ODI series against England, the Proteas finished all square at 1-1.
South Africa vs England 1st ODI Dream11 prediction
The battle for supremacy between South Africa and England has been an intense one over the years. Since 1992, when the teams played their first ODI against each other, the Proteas have won 31, while the Englishmen have registered 29 wins in 66 matches.
Two of the last five matches in this format have ended without a result. England have won two and South Africa have one victory from the remaining three games.
However, considering the current form of both teams in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, England are tipped to be the favourites in the upcoming encounter. Many English players like Jos Buttler, Adil Rashid and Jofra Archer have been in good form in the SA20 2023. The experience of playing in South Africa is expected to be a telling factor.
South Africa vs England Dream11 team tips for 1st ODI
Top tip: Best batter - Aiden Markram
South Africa’s Aiden Markram has been in excellent form in the ongoing SA20 2023. The 28-year-old has amassed 200 runs in eight matches at a steady scoring rate. He averages 37.33 in One-Day Internationals against England, boasting a top score of 77.
It is expected to be a batter-friendly pitch at the Mangaung Oval. Markram, who is the backbone of the Protea batting lineup, can be expected to fire heavily on Friday.
Top tip: Best bowler - Jofra Archer
English seamer Jofra Archer is back in the scheme of things after his injury layoff. The Barbados-born pacer has picked up eight wickets in only five SA20 2023 matches, while averaging 18.
Archer has an impressive economy rate of 4.74 in ODIs and has picked up 30 wickets in 17 matches. He is also a capable lower-order batter, averaging 18.25 with a strike rate of 114.06 in List A cricket. The holistic points potential makes him the best bowling pick in the upcoming match.
Top tip: Best all-rounder - Sam Curran
Sam Curran, the world no.5 T20I bowler, is capable of bringing his all-round abilities to the fore in 50-over cricket. In 18 ODIs so far, Curran has scored 206 runs, averaging 22.88, while picking 16 wickets at a respectable economy rate.
He was England’s leading wicket-taker in the 2022 T20 World Cup. The 24-year-old all-rounder will find the pace and bounce at Bloemfontein handy for his bowling style, making him a top player in fantasy teams.
Top tip: Best wicketkeeper - Jos Buttler
Jos Buttler is an integral part of England’s ODI setup. Apart from his captaincy skills, the numbers game does significant talking for his inclusion in fantasy teams for the first ODI against South Africa.
Buttler has scored 4,275 runs, including 10 centuries and 22 fifties in One Day Internationals. The Proteas are among the English skipper’s most prolific opponents. The 32-year-old has a strike-rate of 120.77 in this format against South Africa. His swashbuckling batting style would be important to add the finishing touches in the England innings.
Photo credits: Alamy
