England v South Africa - 1st T20I - NatWest Series 2012 - Match Preview
After a closely contested NatWest ODI series, picking a clear winner for the T20I matches could be anyone’s guess when http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 and South Africa will face each other in the first T20 international match on September 8th at Chester-le-Street.
The last leg of the series will commence after http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Allan-Robert-Border-c43726 de Villiers would attempt to improve on his ODI performances.
Currently ranked second in the T20I ranking, the Poms can take pride in their recent exploits in the shortest format of the game as the home side has won four of their last five T20 series, in addition to their World Cup triumph in 2010.
While http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KP-Pietersen-c1806 remained the mainstay of the English side during all those victories, his recent banishment, following the ‘Text Controversy’, would pave way for some exciting youngsters, who are waiting to grab the opportunity.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sussex-c852 in county cricket this season. While there
is little doubt over the batting prowess of the 27-year-old, he adds up to the exciting prospect of opening the innings along with Hales.
Steven Finn’s untimely back injury has led to the recall of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/GP-Swann-c1501, after
being rested for the ODI series.
On the other end, the Proteas look an evenly matched team and won’t be bickering over making too many changes. The no.1 T20 side would take comfort in the resounding form of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HM-Amla-c1557, who is expected to remains the mainstay of the visitor’s batting lineup.
De Villiers was impressive with his inspiring leadership skills and would feel better going into the T20Is with an unbeaten 75 in the last ODI after an inconsistent patch with the bat. The inclusion of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JH-Kallis-c1692, rested for the ODI series, would bring
a huge impetus in the Proteas batting lineup.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Richard-Levi-c2315 would add fire power into the Proteas batting, along with the power-hitting skills of the all-rounder
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JA-Morkel-c1613.
The senior Morkel brother will make his first appearance on the English tour and is expected to add to the tourists’ bowling options of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/WD-Parnell-c2787, all of whom remained effective during the ODI series.
The venue is England’s lesser known grounds and the only T20I to be scheduled here was abandoned due to rain. While there is a slight chance of morning showers, the forecast is for another warm day.
England Squad: SCJ Broad*, JM Anderson, JM Bairstow, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Huzefa-Mohammed-Patel-c63657, GP Swann, LJ Wright
South Africa Squad: http://www.senore.com/Cricket/LL-Tsotsobe-c1842
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