England vs South Africa, ENG vs RSA, Today Match Prediction 17 August 2022

eng vs sa Match Prediction & Analysis

England would look to start from where they had left against India as they play South Africa in the 1st Test Match of the three-match Basil D'Oliveira Trophy at Lord’s London. The side looks well composed with their batsmen in good form and they would like to take advantage of it. The South Africans have struggled in their practice games, and they would look to make up for it with a good show in this game.  

South Africans would miss some of their key players due to injury including vice-captain Temba Bavuma which is a big loss for the team. They had lost the last series in England and the side is much weaker compared to the one that had toured back in 2017. England players know the conditions well and they would look to make it count in this game. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

England Preview

Ben Stokes would feel confident heading into this game. His team had done well against the Indians a couple of months back and on home conditions, he would fancy his chances in this game. Stokes would like to see a good show from his batsmen in this game as the conditions are expected to be challenging with overcast conditions expected during most days of the game.  

Alex Lees and Zak Crawley the new opening pair for the side shall look to set up a good partnership at the top against the new ball. The middle-order is formidable for the side, and they would like to see runs from Ollie Pope and Joe Root who have been in good form.  Jonny Bairstow has done well in recent matches, and he would aim to add runs with Stokes and Ben Foakes lower down the order.  

James Anderson and Stuart Board shall like to make the new ball talk as the experienced pair take advantage of the conditions at Lord’s. Matty Potts and Jack Leach are growing in confidence, and they shall have an important role to play in this game. Stokes is a good bowler in these conditions and adds to the side’s bowling strength with Joe Root as the second spinner.  

England Predicted Playing XI:

Ben Stokes (c), Zak Crawley, Alex Lees, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes (wk), Matty Potts, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach

England Actual Playing XI:

Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Stuart Broad, Zak Crawley, Alex Lees, Ben Foakes, Matty Pots, James Anderson, Ben Stokes

South Africa Preview

Dean Elgar would like his side to play with a positive bent of mind. They haven’t been at their best in Test cricket over the last three years and this is one of the most challenging tours for the side. Their batsmen shall have to occupy the crease in these tough conditions for the side to win this game.   

Sarel Erwee and Dean Elgar have to see off the new ball and add runs as the English bowlers would come hard at them in this game. Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram make the middle order strong, and the side would expect them to build partnerships in the game. Kyle Verreynne shall look to cement his place in the side playing well down the order with Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj.  

On the bowling front, the new ball pair of Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi need to do early damage as the hosts have a strong batting line-up. Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje shall enjoy the conditions and they must make good use of the bounce they generate on this surface. Maharaj is an experienced bowler, and he will have to trouble the Englishmen with his variety.  

South Africa Predicted Playing XI:

Dean Elgar (c), Sarel Erwee, Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje

South Africa Actual Playing XI:

Anrich Nortje, Kyle Verreynne, Keegan Petersen, Marco Jansen, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Sarel Erwee, Lungi Ngidi

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It would be overcast skies over London on the first three days of the game starting August 17. This will make batting a big challenge as the ball is expected to swing. Batsmen would have to be watchful. The average 1st innings score here is 314 runs and the side that bats first would be happy to have a score above 400 runs on the board. 

Venue Details

Lord’s is undoubtedly one of the best Test venues in the world. It has something for everyone. Fast bowlers love bowling here on the 1st Day as the wicket offers them a lot. Batsmen have to build their innings at this venue and play to the merit of the ball. Spinners come into play from Day 3 onward, but they need to rely on their variations to do well on this surface.

Toss: To Bowl

We expect to see heavy weather conditions at the start of the game where batting would be challenging. In the last few games, the side chasing the score in the 4th innings has won here. The side that wins the toss in this game would like to take advantage of the conditions and opt for bowling first in this game.