England vs South Africa preview – ICC T20 World Cup game

England play South Africa at 2 pm at the Sharijah cricket stadium, in the final ICC T20 World Cup Group 1 game.

The Proteas must win to remain in the competition, although if Australia win their final game against West Indies, net run rate (NRR) will play a huge role, as the Aussies have a better NRR so far.

England, who have already qualified for the semi-finals and are unbeaten in their four matches, will be a formidable force and will be chasing victory to top their group and avoid the other in-form side, Pakistan.

South Africa have been impressive since they lost their opener against Australia, where the game was overshadowed by Quinton de Kock’s decision to ignore his nation’s cricket board’s demand that they should take the knee.

He has since made a U-turn and the Proteas have reverted to their three-pronged gesture approach and have defeated West Indies, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Bowler Anrich Nortje has caught the eye, taking eight wickets in four games along with an impressive economy rate.

The 27-year-old will have to be at his best when bowling against Jos Butler. The English batsman has the highest average (214) thus far and his 101* in his team’s victory over Sri Lanka was the highlight of the tournament so far.

Dominating West Indies, Bangladesh, Australia and Sri Lanka, Eoin Morgan’s side have been frightening and will want to take this momentum into tomorrow’s game and onto the semi-finals.

However, they will be without seamer Tymal Mills, who has been ruled out of the tournament after an injury. This game may come too soon for fellow seamer Mark Wood but England do have David Willey and Tom Curran in reserve.

By the time the captains do the toss, South Africa will know the equation, as Australia play West Indies earlier, so it is set to be an exciting finale to Group 1.