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

South Africa takes on England in the first of three T20Is as the ENG vs SA series continues. The match will be played in Bristol as both teams look to fine-tune their squads for the T20 World Cup later this year. The T20I specialists are back in both teams as fans can look forward to a blockbuster series.

South Africa will be led by a new skipper in David Miller in the absence of regular skipper Temba Bavuma. Bavuma has been away from cricket since injuring his elbow in the T20I series against India.

“I’ve captained a few times in my career so far, and what I’ve learnt is that things do get a bit crazy and frantic out there. It’s about having clear plans along with trying to stay as calm as possible” said Miller ahead of the first T20I against England. Meanwhile, in this article, we take a look at South Africa’s predicted playing Xi in the first T20I against England.

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

Quinton de Kock (WK)

De Kock will open the batting and look to continue his good form in the T20I series after playing a good hand in the ODIs. He will need to bat well and give his team a good start.

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Reeza Hendricks

Hendricks will open the batting alongside De Kock. He has been given enough opportunities by South Africa across white-ball cricket but has not realised his true potential yet. This is another opportunity for the right-handed opener.

Aiden Markram

The middle-order of Markram, Dussen and Miller is South Africa’s real strength in T20Is. Markram bats at number three and bowls crucial overs for his side. His performance will be key in the series.

Rassie Van der Dussen

Dussen is the most in-form South African batsman in this series at the moment. He scored a century in the first ODI as his side won the game by 62 runs.

David Miller (C)

Miller will slot in at number five as the specialist finisher on the side. He was in rich vein of form in the IPL scoring nearly 500 runs and marking his best season in the IPL. He just needs to find his range in the T20I series.

Heinrich Klaasen

Klaasen will slot as number six providing depth to this Protean batting attack. He has been playing regularly in the South African white-ball sides in the last couple of years. He is a clean striker of the ball.

Dwaine Pretorius

Pretorious will be the seam bowling all-rounder in this Protean playing XI. He has been a utility cricketer with both bat and ball and has made impactful performances. He will slot in at number seven.

Kagiso Rabada

Rabada did not play the ODIs against England. He was rested for the series as the management was looking to give him a good rest ahead of some continuous cricket. Rabada will be back and spearhead the bowling attack.

Anrich Nortje

Nortje will pair up with him from the other hand. He also played the ODI series and bowled with pace and fire getting a total of six wickets from three games, the most by any bowler.

Keshav Maharaj

Maharaj will be the second spin option in this South African playing Xi. He led the side in the ODIs but will play as a player in the T20Is. With many right-handers in the England lineup, he is a better option than Tabraiz Shamsi.

Lungi Ngidi

Ngidi will e the third seaming option in the lineup which concludes South Africa’s strongest playing XI for their first T20I against England.

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