ENG vs SA T20 World Cup 2024 Match Up: Top 5 Player Battles to Watch Out For

England (ENG) will take on South Africa (SA) in the 45th match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia.

Both teams have gotten off to a winning start in their Super 8 campaigns, with England defeating the West Indies by 8 wickets, while South Africa secured an 18-run victory over the USA. As they gear up for another important clash, both sides will look to continue their winning momentum, setting the stage for an exciting match on Friday.

Let’s explore five interesting matchups to watch in ENG vs SA.

1. Jos Buttler vs Keshav Maharaj

Jos Buttler will be the man to watch after getting off to a good start against the West Indies in his previous outing. The English captain possesses a wide range of modern shots, and a big score seems to be just around the corner for the talented batter. However, he needs to be cautious of Keshav Maharaj, who has kept him in check, dismissing him thrice while conceding a mere 37 runs off 31 deliveries in their past encounters.

2. Quinton de Kock vs Reece Topley

Quinton de Kock has been in sublime form with the bat at the top of the order, but when facing England, he will encounter the challenge of Reece Topley, who has been highly effective and economical in this tournament. Topley has enjoyed remarkable success against de Kock, dismissing him four times in six meetings while conceding runs at a strike rate of 147.05, making him a potential thorn in the South African opener’s side.

3. Heinrich Klaasen vs Adil Rashid

Heinrich Klaasen possesses a fine matchup against the English bowling lineup, but the spin web woven by Adil Rashid has proven to be a challenge for him. Despite leaking runs at a strike rate of 182.60, Rashid has managed to dismiss Klaasen on three occasions in their seven meetings, showcasing his ability to outfox the South African batter.

4. Phil Salt vs Tabraiz Shamsi

As the World Cup caravan moves to the West Indies, Phil Salt becomes an even more dangerous batter, having an impressive average of 45.10 in 12 T20 games on West Indies soil. Nevertheless, Aiden Markram has the option to unleash the spin of Tabraiz Shamsi against Salt, as the wily spinner has troubled the English opener, conceding just 17 runs off 20 deliveries while dismissing him twice, effectively neutralizing his threat.

5. Jonny Bairstow vs Anrich Nortje

Jonny Bairstow is an attacking batter who loves to dispatch boundaries with ease. He is coming off a blistering 48 off just 26 deliveries against the West Indies in his previous outing. However, against the in-form South African pace attack, Bairstow needs to exercise caution, especially against the fiery Anrich Nortje, who has kept him in check, conceding a mere 20 runs off 19 deliveries while dismissing him once in their past encounters.