ENG vs SA Match Preview- ICC T20 World Cup 2021, Match 39

England and South Africa are set to play their last game of the Super 12 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup on Saturday. The two teams will take on each other in the 39^th match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

England and South Africa have played against each other in 22 T20 internationals previously. Of those, England have managed to win on 11 occasions, while South Africa emerged victorious 9 times.

Here’s a look at how these two teams have performed thus far in the tournament:

England:

England have qualified for the semi-finals. They have won all four games played in the tournament thus far and are currently sitting at the top of the points table in Group1.

Eoin Morgan and Co. will be playing their last game of the Super 12 stage on Saturday and would look to continue their winning momentum. A win would assure them of a top spot in Group1.

Going by the kind of form they are in, England should go into the contest as favourites. There is no denying that Jos Buttler has been at the heart of England’s wins in the tournament.

The English wicket-keeper batsman has been in sensational form with the bat, having managed to score 214 runs in 4 matches at an average of 214. Jason Roy too has shown flashes of brilliance with the bat and so has Jonny Bairstow.

The only concern in the batting department is Dawid Malan’s current form. The southpaw has been struggling to score runs fluently on the slow tracks of UAE. Eoin Morgan, though, wouldn’t be fretting too much on that as other batsmen in the batting unit are in scintillating form. The skipper too scored a handy 40-run knock in the last game against Sri Lanka. That would give him a world of confidence and keep the team in good stead.

Tymal Mills has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury and it remains to be seen who replaces him in the playing XI. The rest of the players has been bowling quite well and you don’t expect any changes taking place in that department.

South Africa:

The upcoming game between England and South Africa holds more importance to South Africa than England and for obvious reasons. South Africa currently find itself at number three on the points table with 3 wins in 4 matches.

A must-win game beckons for them as a defeat in this match could make end their hopes for reaching the semi-finals. Both Australia and South Africa are currently tied at 6 points table. Australia though has a better net run rate than the Proteas.

Add to that, both have one match remaining to play in the Super 12 stage and both will be playing their last game on Saturday. The good thing for South Africa is that Australia is playing before them and that will give them an idea on how to approach the game.

South Africa are coming into this game on the back of three consecutive wins. They are in pretty good form and would be confident of beating England on Friday.