ENG vs SA Prediction, Who Will Win the Match Between England and South Africa? ICC T20 World Cup 2021 Match No 39

Published - 06 Nov 2021, 08:01 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:00 AM

Image Source: Twitter

Table of Contents

England and South Africa lock horns in the 39^th match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 on Saturday at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Perhaps, no other team, barring Pakistan to a certain extent, has played better cricket than England in the tournament.

They have excelled in all departments of the game and thus are sitting at the top of the points table in Group 1. With 4 wins in 4 matches, they have qualified for the semi-finals and would look to finish the super 12 stage with a win on Saturday.

With the bat, Jos Buttler has led the way. The England wicket-keeper batsman has been in phenomenal form. He scored an outstanding century in the last game against Sri Lanka and is currently the third-highest run-scorer in the tournament.

In 4 matches, he has managed to score 214 runs at an average of 214. In 4 innings, he got out only once in the tournament. There is no denying that Buttler holds key to England’s fortune ahead in the tournament. He will be the biggest bet for England with the bat against South Africa on Saturday.

His partner, Jason Roy has shown flashes of brilliance and so has Jonny Bairstow. David Malan’s poor form should be a concern for them but Eoin Morgan’s 40-run knock in the last game should give respite to the team. Morgan’s return to form is a big boost for the side. On Saturday, England’s batting unit will face a stern test against a formidable South Africa bowling line-up.

On the other hand, South Africa currently find themselves at number three on the points table in Group 1. After losing the first game against Australia, they went on to win their next three matches and thus are very much in contention for reaching the semis. They have a potential knockout game on Saturday against England.

Aiden Markram and Russie Van der Dussen — Image Source: Twitter

They are likely to make a top-four finish if they manage to beat England by a significant margin. Having said that, a lot to depends on how Australia plays in their last game against West Indies on the same day. If Australia loses that game, then South Africa just have to win against England, irrespective of the net run rate.

South Africa have dished out exceptional performances in the last three matches and its unlikely that they would make a change in the playing XI. All the bowlers are in pretty good form. Kagiso Rabada’s incredible spell of 3 for 20 in the last game against Bangladesh should give him and the team a lot of confidence.

Anrich Nortje’s (3 off 8) and Tabraiz Shamsi (2 for 21) too continued their good form with the ball as Bangladesh were bundled out for just 84 runs in the first innings. South Africa chased down the target in 13.3 overs. For them to beat England in Saturday, there’s no doubt that their batting unit has to step up to the plate and showcase a telling performance.