We've been here before: England's seemingly-quite-resistible force
against South Africa's immovable Hashim Amla. This time the tourists are
the No. 1-ranked side going into the series, however, and England are
merely the reigning World Twenty20 champions. Both have solid records
from sporadic outings in the shortest form this year and both will be
looking to nail down their plans for the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka,
which starts in less than two weeks' time.
For England, it means a change in captain and Stuart Broad will aim to
become the first of the now-defunct triumvirate to hand South Africa a
series defeat. Andrew Strauss retired from cricket after his side were
steamrollered in the Tests, though Alastair Cook did marginally better,
clinging on to the one-day top ranking and gaining a promotion into the
bargain. Broad will probably settle for a trio of consistent
performances from the squad, as well as the avoidance of injury.
There is no respite for AB de Villiers, who had the wicketkeeping gloves
thrust upon him at the start of the Test series and now continues to
balance his own personal three-for in the T20s as captain, batsman and
keeper. After two months away from home and with one eye on the
subcontinent, he will need all his powers of multitasking and
compartmentalisation to help drag his team towards the finish line.
Form guide
(Most recent first, completed matches)
England WWWLW
South Africa WWWLW
South Africa WWWLW
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