Though these 3 ODIs are not part of the World Cup Super League, neither team will take them lightly, with the next 50-over World Cup in India just over a year away. England’s first-choice XI has barely played together since the 2019 World Cup win, and the spate of injuries to their top pace bowlers has given the likes of R. Topley a chance to impress. 

After losing the series to India, J. Buttler spoke of keeping an eye on Topley’s workload, and he could sit this one out. M. Potts, who impressed in the Tests against New Zealand and India, could come in. There could also be a comeback for A. Rashid, who missed the games against India because of his Haj pilgrimage.

South Africa have rested K. Rabada from the ODIs, with the onus on L. Ngidi and A. Nortje to provide the pace. M. Jansen and L. Williams could also be part of the mix. With T. Bavuma missing the tour with an elbow injury, the batting line-up is also altered. A. Markram, who missed the T20I series in India due to Covid, should return.  

K. Maharaj will captain the ODI side and be up against another relatively new leader in J. Buttler. England have dominated this rivalry in home conditions, and with no Rabada in the ranks, South Africa have their work cut out to add to their 8 wins on English soil.

Match Details

• Match: England vs South Africa 1st ODI
• Venue: Riverside Stadium, Chester-le-Street
• Date & Time: July 19 2022, at 5:30 PM IST
• Live Streaming: Sony Six Channel and SonyLIV App

ENGLAND VS SOUTH AFRICA 1st ODI PROBABLE PLAYING XIs

England 

J.Roy, J. Bairstow, J. Root, B. Stokes, J. Buttler (C & WK), L. Livingstone, M. Ali, S. Curran, B. Carse, A. Rashid, M. Potts

South Africa

J. Malan, Q. de Kock (WK), R. van der Dussen, A. Markram, H. Klaasen, D. Miller, A. Phehlukwayo, K. Maharaj (C), A. Nortje, L. Ngidi, T. Shamsi

England vs South Africa ODI Head-to-head Record

Weather Report

The heatwave currently sweeping through the UK has raised temperatures to levels never before seen in the usually cold north-east. The temperature will be around 33°C at the start of play, rising to a maximum of 35°C later in the afternoon.  

SA vs Eng 1st ODI Pitch Report

This used to be a pitch that favored the bowlers, with 300 crossed just once in the first 15 matches played here. But in the last 5 games, teams have made 300 or more 5 times. The pitch is expected to good for the batters throughout the match. The average first innings score in the last 5 ODIs is 268 runs.

Toss

Teams bowling first have won 11 of the 18 completed matches in Durham. That includes 3 of the last 5 games. A total of around 290 runs can be a competitve one on this surface.

TOP FANTASY PICKS FOR ENG VS SA 1st ODI Match

Team England

• J. Roy is one of a select group of batters that average more than 40 in ODIs, while boasting a strike rate in three figures (107.29). He provided a decent start to the team in the third ODI against India despite wickets falling at the other end and made 41 runs off 31 deliveries. Against the country of his birth, he will be hoping to add to his tally of 10 centuries.
• M. Ali has been good and is England’s go-to all-rounder in limited-overs for a long time. Against India, his form with ball in hand seemed a little ineffective as of now but he made a decent contribution with the bat. He was the leading run-scorer for England in the three-match ODI series with 95 runs at an average of 31.67. 
• A. Rashid made his ODI debut as long ago as 2009, but it was only after the 2015 World Cup disaster that he became a regular part of the team that went on to win the 2019 World Cup. However, he has only picked up 7 wickets in his last nine outings and will be looking to improve here.

Team South Africa

• Q. de Kock can already point to his 17 ODI centuries from just 129 matches at an exceptional strike rate of 95.97. But having quit the Test side, his white-ball displays will come under greater scrutiny.
• D. Miller has been in good form recently, contributing heavily in Gujarat's title win in the Indian T20 League and a decent show in the recent T20 series against India. He will be one of the key players for South Africa in the middle order. In the first warm-up game, he played an unbeaten innings of 55-run from 36 balls.
• L. Ngidi has taken 61 wickets from just 35 ODIs since making his debut against India in 2018. The reason he hasn’t become a regular is an economy rate (5.59) that’s a touch on the higher side. 

ENG VS SA 1st ODI SUGGESTED HOWZAT TEAM

• Wicketkeepers: J. Bairstow, J. Buttler, Q. de Kock
• Batters: J. Root, D. Miller, J. Roy, A. Markram
• All-rounder: M. Ali
• Bowlers: L. Ngidi, M. Potts, A. Rashid

• Captain: J. Roy/Q. de Kock
• Vice Captain: L. Ngidi/A. Rashid

ENG vs SA 1st ODI – HOWZAT Fantasy Team

NOTE: The Howzat dream team above is just a suggestion. You can select your own team from today’s fantasy match prediction and play all the fantasy cricket matches of the South Africa Tour of England 2022. Also, don’t forget to make any necessary changes to your team once the actual playing 11 is announced by each team (30 minutes before the start of the match) as some players you have selected might not be part of the team playing.

Download one of the favorite fantasy app and select your own team, Howzat!