South Africa kick-off their international summer with a three-match ODI series against the reigning World Champions England. The first ODI is scheduled to take place on Friday, 27 January 2023, in Bloemfontein. It will be a short turnaround to the 2nd game, which is set to take place on the 29th, and the 3rd on the 1st of February, with both games being held in Kimberley.
There is more on the line for the Proteas than their English counterparts, with qualification for the ODI World Cup in India later in the year dominating the build-up to the series.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) cancelled a 3-match ODI series against Australia, which was scheduled to take place this month, in favour of the ongoing SA20 tournament, which has put their campaign in jeopardy. South Africa needs to win all three games against England and the two against the Netherlands later in the summer to automatically qualify for the World Cup.
Sri Lanka, Ireland and the West Indies are the other teams in contention and the hosts need to win at least three of their remaining five and need other results to go their way to have any chance of qualification. Failing to do so would result in one of the lowest points in South African cricket since readmission.
Temba Bavuma’s team are coming on the back of a serious hammering at the hands of the Aussies, albeit in a different format. They would want to bounce back and who better than against the current World Champions?
With most of the first-team stars playing in the SA20, rumours of not recalling them for the ODI series against England and naming a second-string side were going around. But thankfully, the CSA did not go down that route and has named a full-strength 16-man squad.
The last time South Africa played an ODI game was way back in October last year a 3-match affair against the Indians, which will no doubt affect the cricket odds with the bookmakers. The Proteas lost the series – played ahead of the T20 World Cup – 2-1 against a second-string Indian side.
The batting line-up, which was bowled out of for 99 in the 3rd ODI, could see two changes in the form of Rassie van der Dussen and skipper Temba Bavuma coming into the side.
The selectors have gone against the temptation of fast-tracking Dewald Brevis into the setup, with the youngster not yet making a first-class appearance. It is believed that “Baby AB”, as he is referred to, the introduction could come in the shortest format. The selectors have also left out Tristan Stubbs, the most expensive recruit in the SA20.
Quinton de Kock and Janeman Malan will renew their fairly successful opening partnership, while Bavuma, Markram and Van der Dussen will occupy the middle order. Add the in-form David Miller to the mix at No.6 and South Africa have a really strong batting line-up.
Kagiso Rabada will return to lead the bowling line-up, while Anrich Nortje is once again ready to set the speed guns ablaze with his thunderbolts. The management will have to choose between the leg spin of Tabraiz Shamsi and the off-breaks of Keshav Maharaj as the lone spinner.
Picking the 3rd seamer might also prove to be a tough call for the Proteas as they have to choose between Ngidi and Jansen. Jansen is having a terrific SA20 with the bat, so South Africa might be inclined to play him at No.7 along with Ngidi.
England, on the other hand, have also picked a strong 14-man squad for the series. The big news for them was the return to action of fast bowler Jofra Archer after a lengthy layoff of 18 months. Archer last played in a T20I against India in March 2021. With the games back-to-back, it is likely that he may not play all three.
The exciting Harry Brook is set to make his debut in ODI cricket after impressing in Tests and T20I, while Sam Curran would also like to bring his T20I form to 50-over cricket. It is going to be a big series for opener Jason Roy, who has been in terrible form all through the English summer and with the World Cup this year.
After the England ODIs, the Proteas will face off against West Indies in two Tests followed by three ODIs and three T20Is along with two ODIs against the Netherlands to complete their summer.
