After notching up a convincing win last game, South Africa will look to maintain the momentum and potentially close out the series with a game to spare

The highlight for the Proteas was the fact that multiple players stepped up and delivered, whether it was with the bat or the ball. The aim will be fairly simple – replicate the same even team effort as well as improve the relatively inconsistent fielding.

England, in the meantime, will regroup, reassess their plans, and gear up for a crucial contest. There will be greater scrutiny on a visibly out-of-form Jason Roy and the middle order. They fell prey to a prolonged spell of economical spin, and as a result, that left too much heavy lifting for Joe Root and the lower order.

Unlike the sweltering, hot conditions from the first ODI, it will be a mellower day at Old Trafford with a chance of showers. Once again, adjustment and adaptation will be the key.

Potential XI’s

South Africa won’t need to change a side that performed brilliantly, but Andile Phehlukwayo sustained a facial injury after an on-field collision with Keshav Maharaj. He was no longer involved in the remainder of the first game, and Dwaine Pretorius came in as a concussion sub. Phehlukwayo has been ruled out so Pretorius should be switched in. Apart from that, the XI looks well-balanced and raring to go.

Malan
de Kock
van der Dussen
Markram
Miller
Klaasen
Pretorius
Maharaj
Ngidi
Nortje
Shamsi

On the other hand, England have a few points to ponder. Since it’s a crunch game, expect them to ring in at least one change.

Reece Topley was fantastic against India and got rested for the first ODI. He should be back, and will definitely be able to bolster England’s bowling.

And David Willey could make a return to the XI, too. He will provide some useful lower-order hitting, should he get the nod. Matthew Potts is likely to make way, even though last game was his first ODI.

Finally, Ben Stokes played his last ODI, so there will be a tricky void to fill, which adds another conundrum to England’s puzzle.

Roy
Bairstow
Root
Buttler
Livingstone
Ali
S Curran
Willey
Carse
Rashid
Topley