South Africa vs England 2nd ODI: Why is Kagiso Rabada Not Playing Today’s SA vs ENG Second One Day International?

South Africa vs England: South Africa and England go head-to-head once again at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein for the second ODI. England have won just once in the last eight ODIs. What would be more bothering for the Lions is that they have surrendered most of these games from a position of strength. In the first game, after cruising to 146 for no loss chasing 299, Buttler and Co. managed to lose the game by 27 runs.

Why is Kagiso Rabada Not Playing Today

Temba Bavuma won the toss in the second game and chose to bowl. They have made three changes to the side. As is the case with England, they appear to be rotational changes due to just a one-day break between the games. Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Sisanda Magala have been rested and Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj and Marco Jansen have replaced them. Shamsi had a forgettable first game but Rabada had picked two wickets while Magala was Player of the Match for his three scalps.

This is what the South African skipper had to say at the toss,

“We’ll bowl first. The pitch looks to be on the sticky side and we’ll look to exploit that. It’s good for confidence to win at home. We have had a good chat and we want to keep challenging ourselves,”

It is a bold decision by South Africa to say the least, resting their inform fast bowlers in a must win game. They need to whitewash England in order to directly qualify for this year’s 50-over World Cup.

SA Playing 11

1. Quinton de Kock
2. Temba Bavuma (C)
3. Rassie van der Dussen
4. Aiden Markram
5. Heinrich Klaasen
6. David Miller
7. Marco Jansen
8. Wayne Parnell
9. Keshav Maharaj
10. Lungi Ngidi
11. Anrich Nortje 

South Africa vs England Schedule