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Preview: England vs. South Africa second ODI - prediction, team news, series so far

Sports Mole previews the second one-day international between England and South Africa at Old Trafford, including predictions, team news and a summary of the series so far.

After losing in Ben Stokes's final one-day international, England will be looking to level the series when they face South Africa at Old Trafford on Friday.

The visitors, meanwhile, can claim their first-ever bilateral ODI series win, with a victory in the second 50-over game.


Match preview

England batsman Jos Buttler celebrates scoring a half-century against India on July 17, 2022.© Reuters

After Stokes announced that he would retire from ODI cricket following the first game against South Africa, the hosts walked out onto the field at Chester-le-Street hoping to give the 31-year-old a fitting send-off.

However, South Africa were not in a sentimental mood as they proceeded to rack up the runs, which included a 151-run third-wicket partnership.

Jos Buttler's side struggled in the field, with Liam Livingstone the only England bowler that managed to take more than one wicket as South Africa set an impressive 333-5 off their 50 overs.

With a tough total to chase down, Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root did their utmost to give their side a chance, scoring 63 and 86 respectively.

However, their efforts were not enough as England fell to a 62-run defeat, with no player from number four to 11 able to contribute more than 18 runs.

After losing both white-ball series to India, Buttler knows that if he is to get his first series win as captain this week, then his side will need to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the next two games.

South Africa players celebrate after winning the match on February 12, 2020© Reuters

While England will be ruing their third defeat in four ODI matches, South Africa will be pleased with their efforts at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday.

After top-scoring for his country in their most recent 50-over series against Bangladesh, Rassie van der Dussen showed his class yet again, scoring 134 off 117 balls in the first ODI.

Janneman Malan and Aiden Markram played supporting roles, with the pair contributing 57 and 77 respectively as South Africa set what proved to be a winning score.

After watching Van der Dussen star with the bat, Anrich Nortje took it upon himself to play a leading role with the ball.

The 28-year-old claimed four England wickets to put his side 1-0 up in the series, with two matches left to play at Old Trafford and Headingley.

South Africa have never won a bilateral ODI series in England, but they have the chance to change that statistic if they can win one of the next two games.


Team News

England batsman Jason Roy in action against the Netherlands on June 22, 2022.© Reuters

England's top three will remain unchanged after Jason Roy, Bairstow and Root all scored above 40 in the first ODI against South Africa.

However, there will be a change at number four following Stokes's retirement, which could present Phil Salt with an opportunity to play on Friday.

Despite ending the India series as the leading wicket-taker, Reece Topley was rested on Tuesday, but the left-arm seamer is expected to return to the side for the second ODI.

While Topley will lead the pace attack, Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali and Livingstone will provide the spin options for England at Old Trafford.

South Africa's Quinton de Kock celebrates his century on February 4, 2020© Reuters

South Africa are expected to keep changes to a minimum, although they may be forced into one alteration after Andile Phehlukwayo, who was substituted on Tuesday, displayed concussion symptoms.

If Phehlukwayo is not passed fit to play then Dwaine Pretorious could come into the side for the second ODI.

Quinton de Kock was the only batsman in the South Africa top four who failed to score a half-century on Tuesday, but the 29-year-old will have the chance to score big when he opens the batting alongside Malan.

With Kagiso Rabada rested for the ODI series, Lungi Ngidi and Nortje will continue to lead the South African seam attack in the 27-year-old's absence.

England squad: Jos Buttler (Captain, wk), Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow, Brydon Carse, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Craig Overton, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, David Willey.

India squad: Keshav Maharaj (Captain), Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phelukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams, Khaya Zondo, Kyle Verreynne.


Series so far


Second ODI: South Africa won by 62 runs
South Africa 333-5 (50 overs)
England 271 all out (46.5 overs)


SM words green background

We say: England win

Although they eventually lost the recent ODI series to India, England managed to win the second 50-over game against India, and we think they will replicate that feat on Friday, which would ensure that there would be a series decider at Headingley.

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Written by
Ben Sully

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