ENG vs SA: England's Predicted Playing XI Against South Africa, 1st T20I

England take on South Africa in a three-match T20I series after the ODI series between the two teams ended in a stalemate. Both teams will face off in a three-match test series from August 17 after the end of the T20I series. Both teams won one match each while the third was washed out.

England have a task on their hands to not lose a second T20I series on the trot. They lost the T20I and the ODI series against India heading into this series. Skipper Jos Buttler will be without his former skipper Eoin Morgan and his trusted ally Ben Stokes in this three-match series.

The ECB has named a strong squad bringing their seasoned T20 cricketers back into the team. Together they can pose a challenge to the Proteas if they play to the best of their ability. In this article, we take a look at England’s predicted playing XI for the first T20I against South Africa.

ENG vs SA: England’s Predicted Playing XI Against South Africa, 1st T20I

Jos Buttler (C/WK)

Skipper Buttler will open the batting in the T20Is as he does for England. The onus is on him to get his team off to a quick start. Butter is by far England’s best T20I batsman.

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Jason Roy

Roy has been edgy with the bat in recent times. In the ODI and T20I series against India, Bhuvneshwar Kumar made him almost his bunny with his incoming deliveries. The Protean bowlers can look to exploit Roy’s weakness against the moving ball.

Dawid Malan

Malan is a former number-one ranked T20I batter. He has been included in this England side for the T20I series and his job will be to anchor the innings batting at number three.

Jonny Bairstow

Bairstow is flexible enough to bat anywhere in the top five. If Roy opens the batting with Buttler, Bairstow can bat at number four or five. He gets quick starts and is central to England’s chances in the series. He has been in a rich vein of form in Test cricket scoring the most runs for them this year so far.

Liam Livingstone

Livingstone can slot in at number five. He hits the ball right from the first ball and is important lower down the order. He can also bowl both off and leg spin and thus is a utility cricketer for his side.

Moeen Ali

Ali can slot in at number six. He has been a quality all-rounder for England for many years now and understands his role very well. Alongside Adil Rashid, Ali is the second specialist spinner.

Sam Curran

Curran batting at number seven provides depth to the England batting line-up. He is another quality all-rounder in this England T20I setup.

David Willey

David Willey can slot in at number eight for England. He is a handy option with the bat and wings the ball prodigiously while opening the batting. He has been a regular member of the England side in the last couple of years.

Chris Jordan

Jorda is a death overs specialist for England. He is also amongst the leading wicket-takers for his side in T20Is with 88 wickets to his name.

Reece Topley

Topley can be the third seamer in this England line-up. He troubled the Indian batsmen in the recently concluded white-ball series. His height works to his advantage in taking the ball away from the right-handers.

Adil Rashid

Rashid completes England’s predicted playing XI for the first T20I against South Africa. He is the second specialist spinner in the playing XI.

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