South Africa vs England, South Africa vs England 2019, Today Match Prediction 03 Jan 2020

sa vs eng Match Prediction & Analysis

Host South Africa will be looking to extend their lead in the Test series when they face England in the second game at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town.

In the opening game of the series, South Africa registered a 107-run win over England, courtesy splendid performances from Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje. Captain Faf Du Plessis will be pleased with his side’s performance and will be hoping that they can maintain their standards in this game.

On the other hand, England clearly failed to adjust to the conditions and lost the opening game of the series played at Centurion. England captain Joe Root will be hoping that the side can raise their game with bat and ball in this second Test.

TEAMS PREVIEW

South Africa Preview

The home side will be keen to make two changes to their playing XI for the second Test. Pieter Malan will make his Test debut as an opener, replacing Aiden Markram, who has been ruled out of the Test series. South Africa might just go in with another batsman as Temba Bavuma might replace Dwaine Pretorius in the lineup at Newlands.

In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of Faf du Plessis, Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen to do the bulk of the scoring. In the previous game, wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock was the standout performer with the bat.

With South Africa placed in a precarious situation at 111 for 5 after 37 overs, Quinton de Kock led the way for South Africa. Left-hander added crucial partnerships with Dwaine Pretorius and Vernon Philander to help South Africa post a decent score in their first innings. He played positively and finished the innings with the top-score of 95 runs off 128 balls with the help of 14 boundaries. In the past 12 months, De Kock has been in exceptional form for South Africa in Test cricket.

Debutant Rassie van der Dussen made a strong comeback with the bat and notched up his maiden half-century for South Africa. He put on a crucial 91-run partnership with Anrich Nortje to see South Africa extend their lead to over 250 runs. Van der Dussen scored 51 runs off 67 balls with the help of five boundaries.

The lower-order comprising of Dwaine Pretorius, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada contributed well to the team’s cause in the opening game played at Centurion.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the new-ball pair of Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada to make crucial breakthroughs. The experienced collectively picked up 11 wickets between them to help South Africa take lead in the four-match series.

Rookie pacer Anrich Nortje delivered a credible performance with bat and ball. He scored 40 runs for the side in the second innings and picked up five wickets in the game.

South Africa Predicted Playing XI:

Faf du Plessis (captain), Quinton de Kock (wk), Dwaine Pretorius, Vernon Philander, Dean Elgar, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Zubayr Hamza, Anrich Nortje

South Africa Actual Playing XI:

Zubayr Hamza, Faf du Plessis, Anrich Nortje, Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock, Pieter Malan, Dean Elgar, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Vernon Philander

England Preview

The visitors will be keen to deliver a strong show with bat and ball in the second Test at Newlands. England will make changes to their playing XI for this game. Ollie Pope might come in place of Jonny Bairstow, who had another poor game with the bat. Sam Curran or Stuart Broad might make way for left-arm spinner Jack Leach in the final XI.

In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of Rory Burns, Joe Root, and Ben Stokes to deliver the bulk of the runs. After perishing for a low score in the first innings, Burns made a strong comeback with the bat in the second outing. Left-hander got the side off to a decent start in the chase. He finished the innings with the top-score of 84 runs off 154 balls with the help of 11 boundaries.

Joe Root, Joe Denly and Ben Stokes all chipped in with a decent score and spent a good amount of time at the crease. Root looked in good touch with the bat and scored 48 runs off 101 balls with the help of eight boundaries.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, and James Anderson to make crucial breakthroughs with the new-ball. Sam Curran might be dropped from the side as England will be looking to field a spinner in the form of Jack Leach.

England Predicted Playing XI:

Joe Root (captain), Joe Denly, Jos Buttler (wk), Jonny Bairstow, Rory Burns, Ben Stokes, Dominic Sibley, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, James Anderson, Stuart Broad

England Actual Playing XI:

Joe Root, Ollie Pope, Stuart Broad, Zak Crawley, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Dominic Bess, James Anderson, Ben Stokes, Dominic Sibley, Joe Denly

Weather Conditions

Traditionally, the surface at Newlands offers swing and seam movement for the quick bowlers. The batsmen will have to work hard for their runs on a surface that might assist the bowlers. The weather forecast for the game to be played on Friday is expected to be sunny with a moderate breeze.

Venue Details

Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town is going to the second Test of the series between South Africa and England. Host South Africa will take heart from the fact that they have never lost to England at this venue.  To add to that, South Africa have won their four Test matches at Newlands.

Toss: To Bowl

The side that wins the toss would be looking to bowl first and exploit the pitch conditions. The spinners will get into the game in the last two days of the Test match.