SA VS ENGLAND, 3RD T20I

A series of close finishes counts on a fitting finale

by Rob Johnston • Last updated on

Can England beat an inexperienced South Africa side? © AFP

Given what has gone before, expectations are high for the third and final match in the series between South Africa and England. The first two games have had it all: lots of runs, some fantastic bowling and plenty of high-stakes drama. Two last-ball finishes, with each side closing one out and letting one slip, has set up the series finale at SuperSport Park on Sunday (February 16) perfectly.

Both sides will be frustrated not to have the series sewn up already, though. South Africa will feel they threw away the second match on Friday evening with just three runs needed off two balls. A dead-eyed calm final two deliveries from Tom Curran, and a strange choice of shot from Bjorn Fortuin, saw England get over the line. In game one, it was the tourists who will have felt they let things slip, having needed just a run a ball off the final seven deliveries with plenty of wickets in hand.

But the fact this match is, in effect, a knock-out type scenario may help both teams as they plan for the T20 World Cup in October and November this year. If either side are to win that tournament, they will have to triumph in at least two winner takes all matches so this is an opportunity to experience a similar, albeit reduced, type of pressure. Which team can hold their nerve?

A series win for South Africa would be a fine achievement considering the players they are missing. Kagiso Rabada and Faf du Plessis have been rested for this series and Imran Tahir, one of the pre-eminent leg-spinners in the world in T20 cricket but left out so South Africa could look at other spin options, remains a certain starter in the World Cup. Then there is the prospect of the return of AB de Villiers into the fold ahead of the tournament in Australia, boosting a batting line-up which has looked short of strength in depth during this series.

England's squad is more or less at full bore although Jofra Archer, one of the first names on the team sheet, is missing through injury. As such, the game in Centurion arguably has more riding on it for Eoin Morgan's team than it does for the home side. Should England fail to beat an inexperienced South Africa, even away from home, it would be an upset of sorts although not one they will be overly concerned with given the amount of time left before the World Cup. Nevertheless, they will certainly not want to lose.

The major question England have to ponder is what to do about Joe Denly. Scores of three and one in the series have only intensified the pressure on his place. Given he is batting in an unfamiliar position in the middle order, it's hard not to feel for the Kent man. In asking him to adapt to a role he has barely played before, England have certainly not made things easy for him and with Dawid Malan on the sidelines, a player who scored a hundred in his last T20I innings, it would be no surprise should a change be made.

Denly actually played in England's only previous T20I at SuperSport Park, back in 2009. It was not a match he or England will look back on fondly. South Africa smashed their way to 241 in their 20 overs - Denly removed Graeme Smith for 88 off 66 balls in his one over of leg-spin - and England, with Alastair Cook opening the batting, ended up well short. Thankfully, the games in this series have been far closer affairs. If Sunday's final match is similar, it will be interesting to see which team holds their nerve.

When: Sunday 16 February, 2020. 14:30pm Local Time

Where: SuperSport Park, Centurion

What to expect: It's set to be another hot day with temperatures likely to be in the late 20s or early 30s at the 2.30pm start time. At least the humidity in Centurion is expected to be reduced from that in Durban to give the players some respite. All indications are that the pitch, usually one of the quickest in South Africa, will be another good one for the batsmen. Traditionally, SuperSport Park is not a place for spin so it will be interesting to see how both teams approach their line-ups. In South Africa's last T20I here, in March last year against Sri Lanka, they selected just one frontline spinner.

Team News

South Africa

Dale Steyn, rested for the second match, should return to add his vast experience to South Africa's bowling attack. He may replace Fortuin, who did fine enough on debut, given the pitch does not usually favour the slower bowlers. A bit like Denly, JJ Smuts, an opener, has been put in an unfamiliar middle order role and has struggled. He could be replaced by the uncapped Pite van Biljon or Heinrich Klaasen.

Possible XI: Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Pite van Biljon, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Beuran Hendricks, Dale Steyn, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi

England

Given there is a series on the line, England will probably be reluctant to make many changes, if any, from the side which won on Friday evening although Denly could make way for Malan. Given the conditions, England may consider leaving out Adil Rashid, who was wicketless in Durban, but they will not take such a decision lightly given how important Rashid and Moeen Ali have been to their limited overs success. If they do decide on a change, Sam Curran is ready and waiting.

Possible XI: Jason Roy, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

© Cricbuzz

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