A great start to the campaign and Consistency is what every team would like to achieve, to earn a semi-final berth. England and South africa would like to get ahead in the race, but they need to face each other right at the start. Hopefully, they would go long in the tournament and shed off the choker's tag by lifting the trophy.
Dale Steyn would not play today due to an injury and that would be a big loss. K Rabada has the potential to be a match winner on his own. Faf du plessis needs to provide Rabada more men at catching positions, whenever he steps into bowl. The supporting bowlers needs to step up too and the experience of Imran Tahir would come in handy. Tahir is a wicket taking bowler and he is smart to adapt to playing conditions outside home. Lungi Ngidi has impressed many with his performances too.
England have a better bowling combination with the late inclusion of Jofra Archer, who could be a sensation in this edition of world cup. England's strength is their bowling all rounders with Ben Stokes leading the way, Chris Woakes, Moeen Ali and Jofra Archer would follow. Eoin Morgan will be a happy captain to have so many all rounders in his kitty. Tom Curran has always been in the wicket taking lists too.
When it comes to batting comparisons, England outweigh south africans there too. Jason Roy has been sensational in the past 2 years along with Johny Bairstow. Joe Root was also consistent, and one of the three kept on scoring big in the last 2 years. If that was not enough, Ben Stokes and Jos Butler were brilliant in chasing down scores along with Moeen Ali and Morgan playing the supporting hand. Chris Woakes is no mug with the bat and Archer is handy too.
For RSA, Hashim Amla's experience of playing in big tournaments would come in handy. Faf du plessis, Quinton de kock, Duminy are the other batsmen, who are in good nick. Their recent batting form in comparison to England is below par, but they have a chance to rise up to the occasion in their first encounter today.
Kennington Oval features a bowler friendly wicket as it would be a green top, but once the openers see off the new ball, they could post big scores and could chase down big scores too. England should be able to conquer South africa today, if they could deprive Kagiso Rabada the match winning spell.
