England vs South Africa Match Prediction: Pitch Report, Key Battles, Who will win today’s England vs South Africa Match 1 | Cricket World Cup 2019

England vs South Africa Match Prediction: The Sportsrush present before you Match Prediction for ENG vs SA | 2019 Cricket World Cup Match 1.

We were made to wait for it but the never ending delay is set to come to an end on Thursday when hosts England and South Africa square off against each other for the opening encounter of the World Cup.

Heavily billed, this encounter between two of the most scintillating sides in the cricketing fraternity is the perfect way to get things underway from cricket’s biggest and grandest tournament ever.

Not only is this match crucial for both the sides given it is the first time they’ll be putting to test their highly regarded mettle in the tournament but also because a win on the opening day could set the tone to how the tournament charts out for both the side.

England vs South Africa – Pitch Report

The warm-up matches played at the venue were a testament to how solid a surface this is going to be for batting if the sun is out in all its glory. The surface doled out will have just the slightest ever covering off grass on it which under cloud cover will see the ball bounce and nib around but once in your groove, batting here is going to make for pristine ask.

We do have a forecast for scattered rainfall but not one that is hard enough to see the match being spoilt. Overall, given the artillery of batsmen in both the sides’ repertoire, we should rummage through a 300 plus total from both the outfits. England and South Africa have played here 6 times with England coming out on top 6 times.

England vs South Africa – Key Battles

Jofra Archer vs Faf du Plessis

Two mainstays of their sides, both these players come into the tournament holding such a high stature. And they continued from that same stem in the warm-up encounters as well, shining for their outfits to emerge as one of the leading candidates who can force a successful spree for their respective teams.

Having yet to face each other at the international arena, both these players would have been made well aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses by the team management. Archer especially will look to lead an English pace attack which has yet to show signs of promise. His ability to get the ball coming in to du Plessis at a deadly trajectory has it in it to rile up the batsman.

It’s a crucial encounter for both the sides and the player coming out on top of this could ultimately determine the overall outcome to a large extent. Archer will need to pepper du Plessis with the shorter pitched and bouncy stuff early on with his pace allowing the ball to grow suddenly, something which could hamper the South African skipper.

Jonny Bairstow vs Kagiso Rabada

What 2019 brought our way was two players who have made the world stand up and take notice of wing to their spectacular showings at the international arena. The No. 1 test bowler up against a batsman who is fulfilling his penchant for runs in the most amazing of fashions is bound to be an amazing battle.

Given the new ball, Rabada will straightway square off against Bairstow who has in recent times emerged as one of the leading opening batsmen in ODIs. Bairstow has acted as the fulcrum of his side with his pure ability to strike the white ball seeing him rip apart opposition bowling units.

With Dale Steyn ruled out of the opening match, the onus on Rabada will be that of picking up early wickets. Bairstow is known to play in an attacking manner from the start. If he resists Rabada early on, SA are in for a spot of bother.

England vs South Africa – What numbers suggest?

The two sides have met 59 times till date with South Africa managing to edge England with 29 wins as opposed to England’s 26 victories. We’ve had one draw as well make up part of the results while three matches have come to an end without seeing a result come out of them.

In England itself though, the English side has fared much better in the 25 matches contested between the two countries. They have come out as winners on 15 occasions while South Africa managed 8 wins with relentless rain bringing an end to 2 fixtures.

England vs South Africa – Match Prediction

England vs South Africa World Cup opening match is a real toughie to pick out a winner from. Both are heavily packed in the batting department along with having some exceptionally good potent pace bowlers lining up the bowling unit.

While South Africa’s pace battery slightly outweighs the hosts, England’s bating depth is something which gives them the advantage on that side.

Ultimately, it’s going to be a humdinger of a match which could be poised to go right down to the wire. We expect England to just about come out as the winning side on the day given their familiarity to the home conditions and the sensational form their batting order has been in off late.