Published: Feb 17, 2016, 07:19 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 17, 2016, 07:19 PM (IST)
The wimps have turned into warriors. England took their abasing exit from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 quite seriously, and have shown remarkable improvement in limited-overs cricket since then. They ended the year 2015 as the most successful Twenty20 side, winning all their matches (5) against New Zealand, Australia and Pakistan (in UAE). England went through some drastic shake-up to their set-up, put forth the best they had from their domestic circuit into the international arena, and reaped results for being brave. Fortune favoured England last year, and as they prepare for another three-match bout against South Africa in a few days, the hosts must be wary of their opponents. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: South Africa vs England, 1st T20I at Cape Town.
South Africa are no less, as they won their last T20 series — a three-match affair that kick-started their marathon tour of India — in a commanding manner. South Africa laid emphasis on making winning starts against India and were benefitted by their approach, and the same should be applied when they take on England in the three-match series starting Friday. ALSO READ – Happy Birthday AB de Villiers: Relive the top knocks from the South African legend
England have been terrific across formats of late, and the confidence that the camp has in their abilities will be the biggest factor South Africa will have to encounter. England have unearthed some terrific match winners across departments, and there seems to be no area in particular where they may struggle. If there were doubts on how they will play limited-overs series on slow and turning tracks, England showed it by defeating Pakistan in the three-match series late last year.
In Alex Hales, Jason Roy, Jos Buttler, Sam Billings, James Vince and Joe Root, England have an explosive batting line-up. Their captain Eoin Morgan may have been struggling of late, but he is a quality player and will be itching to get going ahead of the ICC World T20 2016. The presence of Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes, and even Chris Jordan promises steady batting lower down the order, and there is not a single area which can be pointed out as England’s weak point.
The case of Vince provides the reason why England are spoilt for choices. He ended the series against Pakistan as the highest run getter; Vince scored 146 runs in 3 innings at 41.66, but reports suggest Vince may not be a part of the playing XI in the series against South Africa. Whatever the case may be, England are looking stronger than South Africa on paper.
Where the hosts may enjoy freedom is the fact that their problems in Test cricket have not yet seeped into other formats. AB de Villiers is handling the batting department well as Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis are looking for runs, ably supported by Quinton de Kock. Even in the bowling department, South Africa have a wily bowler in Kagiso Rabada, who enjoys bowling in limited-overs cricket, when presented with the challenge to not allow the batsmen score runs off him.
The series will serve as an ideal preparation for these two quality sides ahead of the ICC World T20 2016, but England will go into it with the thought that they have their noses a little ahead of South Africa.
(Devarchit Varma is senior writer with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)
