South Africa will be pumped up to get over their Champions Trophy blues by winning the third and the deciding T20I at Cardiff. The start of the series was nothing like their most recent game, the 2nd T20I, where they levelled the series in an emphatic fashion.
After losing the opening game without showing much of a fight by nine wickets, the Proteas, backed by fired up performances from Chris Morris and skipper AB de Villiers drew level the series with a narrow three-run win to set up a decider.
South Africa brought a great turnaround. Roy and Bairstow looked in great touch and the target of 175 set by South Africa looked well withing the reach before a couple of headlines grabbing things happened. Bairstow was removed and later Roy became the first batsman to be judged out because of ‘obstruction of field’ in the shortest format.
This particular dismissal overshadowed the entire game. Morris, who produced an inspiring spell, had to simply sit back, as everyone got busy with forming their opinion on the dismissal.
Team combination:
England will be without the services of Jonny Bairstow, as he leaves to fulfil his Yorkshire commitments. This would mean either of the two uncapped men in the side – Dawid Malan and or Craig Overton – may get their international debut.
There is another possibility as well. Alex Hales, who was rested for the 2nd game, may walk into the side and take his opening slot while Sam Billing would either sit out or get demoted to Bairstow’s No. 3 position.
It would highly depend on the fact whether Morgan chooses an extra bowler in Overton or goes for a like for like replacement in Lions’ skipper Malan or just sticks to the tried method.
Keeping the importance of the game in the mind, South Africa may bring in Imran Tahir in place of Chinaman Tabraiz Shamsi. Otherwise, the side looks balanced and AB de Villiers may not want to make any changes in it.
Predicted XI:
England: Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Sam Billings, Liam Livingstone, Jos Buttler, Eoin Morgan, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Chris Jordan, David Willey, Tom Curran
South Africa: JT Smuts, Reeza Hendricks, Mangaliso Mosele, AB de Villiers, David Miller, Farhaan Behardien, Chris Morris, Andile Phelukwayo, Morne Morkel, Dabe Paterson, Imran Tahir