Image Credit- AFP
On the surface, South Africa’s situation appears to be favourable. They have won matches when setting goals and pursuing them, and they are undefeated in the competition, but—and this is a big but—none of it has been simple. Not only were they pushed by Bangladesh, a fellow Super Eighter, and Sri Lanka, the former champions—who did the least pushing—but also by three Associates: the Netherlands, Nepal, and the United States. England would have noticed South Africa’s weaknesses, especially in the batting department, if they had been paying attention. The middle order has not yet been given the chance to reach its full ability, and two of the top three—Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram—have just recently found their form.
England’s sideshows will have taken up more of their time. They have played and lost against their fiercest rivals, Australia, and have survived a scare during the group stage when they were all but written off following their rain-out against Scotland. Once Scotland’s challenge had subsided, their triumphs over Oman and Namibia, which increased their net run-rate, helped them survive, but their most recent victory over the West Indies could possibly take their campaign to new heights.
Given that USA is the underdog in Group 2, it is very possible that three teams in a Super Eight pool of four will finish with two victories apiece. In this case, net run-rate could be the deciding factor. With their current score of 1.34, England is in a strong position and would want to believe they are on the right track despite a rocky start.
One could argue that South Africa is already on one and needs just maintain consistency with the knockouts they see. Their next task is to keep up their winning streak against two past winners. England has a far less abstract task. With just the United States left, they have an opportunity to make a lasting impression on this event after South Africa humiliated them at the 2023 ODI World Cup, during a horrifying run they don’t want to repeat.
In their most recent games, Phil Salt and Quinton de Kock both had their finest innings of the T20 World Cup; Salt’s 87* assisted England in chasing 181 against the West Indies, while de Kock’s 74 set South Africa up for a substantial total. The numbers were not exactly what the couple may have preferred prior to those knocks. De Kock scored 20, 0, 18, and 10 while Salt had returns of 37, 12, and 11.
Having players with their aggression bat through could be key on surfaces that seem to have offer runs and so how they perform in the next two matches could be key to their respective team’s semi-final hopes.
Jofra Archer is an intriguing opponent since, up until now, South Africa hasn’t faced a true and consistent pace test. With an economy rate of 6.58, he is now tied for the top spot among bowlers for England in the competition and could pose a serious threat to a top order that is still getting used to the format.
Anrich Nortje, who in the most recent match tied Dale Steyn’s record for the most wickets taken by a South African at a T20 World Cup and has looked menacing the entire time, will be the target of their counterattack. Nortje has been treated with respect and is currently the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament. Will the pace-loving batsmen of England repay him?