England v South Africa World Twenty20 preview
England erased any doubts about whether they were the real deal at this year’s World Twenty20 with their Super Eight victory over Pakistan, but against South Africa they won’t have the luxury of a fumbling fielding side to help them along their way.
Herschelle Gibbs will long be remembered as the man who “dropped the World Cup” against Australia but that’s ignoring the fact that the South African is one of the sharpest fielders in international cricket.
Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal may have gifted chances to England openers Craig Kiewsetter and Michael Lumb in their opening Super Eight match, but Gibbs’ fantastic catch, low down and one-handed, to dismiss New Zealand’s Brendan McCullum during Thursday’s second match is hard evidence that Paul Collingwood’s men will face a tough task getting the ball past the Proteas fielders.
It’s been more than just luck, however, that has seen England put together strong batting performances in two out of their three World Twenty20 innings so far, with their 120-8 in the wash-out against Ireland the exception so far.
Eoin Morgan displayed superb timing and inventiveness in his shot selection against both the West Indies and Ireland, but against Pakistan it was Kevin Pietersen’s turn to shine with an unbeaten 73 to guide his side to victory.
In the Caribbean, Craig Kieswetter may not yet have been the batting wunderkind that his performance earlier this year for the England Lions against England indicated that he might be, but with a little luck on his side the power hitter is yet to fail in the opening slot either. Equally importantly, he’s been up and about behind the stumps after being selected as England’s sole wicketkeeping option in the World Twenty20.
Three matches into the tournament, we’ve finally been given the chance to assess England’s bowling attack and that too stood up to the test in the first opportunity to bowl the full Twenty20 overs after rain shortened England’s group stage matches.
Michael Yardy, one of three spinners selected in England’s squad, upstaged Graeme Swann against Pakistan, to finish with his side’s best bowling figures, while Stuart Broad showed his intent to intimidate opposition batsmen into submission and claimed two wickets for his troubles.
So it’s a sound all-round XI that will face off against a strong South Africa side that with a win here could be in danger of actually living up to, or exceeding, expectations at an ICC tournament, and one that’s won three out of the four Twenty20 Internationals so far played between the sides.
The Proteas will be pleased with their batsmen after their opening Super Eight win over New Zealand, and after dropping Loots Bosman for Gibbs after the former’s two failures in the group stages it’s hard to see Graeme Smith’s side tinkering with a winning formula, that also includes the formidable talents of Jacques Kallis, for the match against England. The icing on the cake for South Africa in that match too was that Albie Morkel delivered a long-awaited game-changing innings as he powered his way to 40 from just 18 deliveries to earn player of the match honours.
Prediction: South Africa’s batting strength to prove too much for England, but not by much.
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