England v South Africa, 1st ODI

6/12/20, 11am (GMT), Cape Town

WINNER

SOUTH AFRICA – 13/8

v

ENGLAND – 1/2

Match Preview

After a T20 series that saw England out-power the hosts, the ODI series looks set to be much closer as the tourists opt to rest a few key players.

Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer are among the players to miss out as England rotate and build their squad, but Sam Billings is one player who took his chance in the summer and will be keen to nail down a spot in the side while Tom Curran, Mark Wood, Reece Topley and Lewis Gregory will feel like they have points to prove.

South Africa will be without Kagiso Rabada and that will really hurt them through this series, but there were signs on Tuesday that their batting is starting to take shape with Rassie van der Dussen discovering a six-hitting touch.

The hosts are in transition while ODI cricket isn’t high on England’s priorities so this series could be quite low key.

Our Prediction

Mark Wood to take over 1.5 wickets – 11/10

The fast bowler has had a more frustrating 2020 than most players having been regularly kept in the wings and made to carry drinks despite his apparent breakthrough in South Africa last year.

His pace and aggression was too much for the Proteas batsmen at the start of the year so with a point to prove, expect him to come charging in if given the opportunity to replace Archer and pick up some big wickets.

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