South Africa vs England, 1st Test Match Prediction 26 Dec 2019
South Africa vs England 2019
SuperSport Park, Centurion, South Africa
South Africa
4.41
272/10 in 61.4
2.88
268/10 in 93.0
England
South Africa
4.41
272/10 in 61.4
England
2.88
268/10 in 93.0
SuperSport Park, Centurion, South Africa
Toss Winner - England won the toss and chose to bowl first
RSA vs ENG Prediction
South Africa are keen to open an account in the ICC Test Championship Boxing Day Test at home against England.
- South Africa have won 19 of the 24 Test matches played at the Centurion since 1995. England, on the other hand, have won just 1 of the 5 tests they played here.
- South Africa and England are at 3rd and 4th position respectively in ICC test Rankings.
- South Africa have won about 70% of the matches (9 of 13) at home in the last 2 years whereas England have won just 33% matches (4 of 12) away from home in the same period.
South Africa to win!
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Match Preview
England is on a tour to South Africa in which they will play the hosts in 4 Tests, 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is. The tour begins with the first test match at Centurion on the boxing day and ends with the third T20I, also at the centurion, on the 16th of February next year.
Unlike England’s tour of New Zealand, the series against South Africa would be considered as a part of the ongoing ICC Test Championship. Currently, South Africa is last in the table with 3 losses to India back in October this year. England, on the other hand, has 56 points with 2 wins, 2 losses, and a draw in the Ashes earlier this year.
Every series in the Test championship is a chance to secure 120 points. South Africa would be keen to make get some points on the board in their first home series in ICC Test Championship.
*Our match preview predictions are fully researched and provided in good faith but no profits are guaranteed. Please gamble responsibly, you should only ever gamble with money you can afford to lose.
England is on a tour to South Africa in which they will play the hosts in 4 Tests, 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is. The tour begins with the first test match at Centurion on the boxing day and ends with the third T20I, also at the centurion, on the 16th of February next year.
Unlike England’s tour of New Zealand, the series against South Africa would be considered as a part of the ongoing ICC Test Championship. Currently, South Africa is last in the table with 3 losses to India back in October this year. England, on the other hand, has 56 points with 2 wins, 2 losses, and a draw in the Ashes earlier this year.
Every series in the Test championship is a chance to secure 120 points. South Africa would be keen to make get some points on the board in their first home series in ICC Test Championship.
*Our match preview predictions are fully researched and provided in good faith but no profits are guaranteed. Please gamble responsibly, you should only ever gamble with money you can afford to lose.
Teams Preview
South Africa
South Africa had a nightmarish start in their first away series in ICC Test Championship against India in October 2019. A defeat by 200-plus runs followed by a couple of innings defeat is how they fared in that disappointing series against India.
They have had a couple of months to regroup and figure out how do they want to go about in the future. The home series should come as a relief in such a situation where there is statistically still a strong outfit. In the last two years, of the 13 tests played at home, SA has won 9 and lost just 4.
SA’s batting would revolve around Dean Elgar at the top and captain Du Plessis in the middle order followed by De Kock. Rabada, with 40 wickets in the last 10 matches would spearhead the bowling attack along with Keshav Maharaj (26 wickets in the last 7 tests) who would be their primary spinner. SA’s middle-order batsman, and one of their better fielders, Temba Bavuma is out of the boxing day Test due to Grade 1 hip flexor muscle strain.
Key Players: Dean Elgar, Faf du Plessis, Kagiso Rabada.
South Africa Actual Playing XI:
Zubayr Hamza, Faf du Plessis, Anrich Nortje, Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Vernon Philander, Rassie van der Dussen
South Africa Predicted Playing XI
Faf du Plessis (c), Quinton de Kock wk, Dean Elgar, Beuran Hendricks, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen
England
Traditionally, England has not been great travelers when it comes to the South Africa tour. Many England captains in the past have resigned after unsuccessful tours to SA. The England captain is under scanner for their recent performances including his own.
England is coming to this series on the back of a series loss (0-1) against New Zealand away from home. Thankfully, for England, that series will not be considered as a part of the ICC Test Championship. England’s recent away numbers are not very encouraging as well. Of the 12 tests, they played in the last 2 years, England has won just 4 matches.
The only positive thing about the New Zealand tour was Joe Root’s form. He finally showed signs of good form in the second test by scoring a double century that saved the test for England. England’s batting would revolve around him due to lack of experience in other batsmen in the top order. Ben Stokes has been averaging over 50 in the last 9 tests. His form would be a crucial factor. Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer would lead the bowling attack.
England’s fielding is a concern as well. England’s bowler would need far more consistent support from their fielders if they are to make an impact in South Africa.
Key Players – Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer.
England Actual Playing XI:
Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Jofra Chioke Archer, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, James Anderson, Ben Stokes, Dominic Sibley, Joe Denly, Rory Burns
England Predicted Playing XI
RJ Burns, DP Sibley, JL Denly, JE Root (c), BA Stokes, Z Crawley, OJ Pope (wk), SM Curran, CR Woakes, JC Archer, SCJ Broad
South Africa
South Africa had a nightmarish start in their first away series in ICC Test Championship against India in October 2019. A defeat by 200-plus runs followed by a couple of innings defeat is how they fared in that disappointing series against India.
They have had a couple of months to regroup and figure out how do they want to go about in the future. The home series should come as a relief in such a situation where there is statistically still a strong outfit. In the last two years, of the 13 tests played at home, SA has won 9 and lost just 4.
SA’s batting would revolve around Dean Elgar at the top and captain Du Plessis in the middle order followed by De Kock. Rabada, with 40 wickets in the last 10 matches would spearhead the bowling attack along with Keshav Maharaj (26 wickets in the last 7 tests) who would be their primary spinner. SA’s middle-order batsman, and one of their better fielders, Temba Bavuma is out of the boxing day Test due to Grade 1 hip flexor muscle strain.
Key Players: Dean Elgar, Faf du Plessis, Kagiso Rabada.
South Africa Actual Playing XI:
Zubayr Hamza, Faf du Plessis, Anrich Nortje, Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Vernon Philander, Rassie van der Dussen
South Africa Predicted Playing XI
Faf du Plessis (c), Quinton de Kock wk, Dean Elgar, Beuran Hendricks, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der DussenEngland
Traditionally, England has not been great travelers when it comes to the South Africa tour. Many England captains in the past have resigned after unsuccessful tours to SA. The England captain is under scanner for their recent performances including his own.
England is coming to this series on the back of a series loss (0-1) against New Zealand away from home. Thankfully, for England, that series will not be considered as a part of the ICC Test Championship. England’s recent away numbers are not very encouraging as well. Of the 12 tests, they played in the last 2 years, England has won just 4 matches.
The only positive thing about the New Zealand tour was Joe Root’s form. He finally showed signs of good form in the second test by scoring a double century that saved the test for England. England’s batting would revolve around him due to lack of experience in other batsmen in the top order. Ben Stokes has been averaging over 50 in the last 9 tests. His form would be a crucial factor. Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer would lead the bowling attack.
England’s fielding is a concern as well. England’s bowler would need far more consistent support from their fielders if they are to make an impact in South Africa.
Key Players – Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer.
England Actual Playing XI:
Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Jofra Chioke Archer, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, James Anderson, Ben Stokes, Dominic Sibley, Joe Denly, Rory Burns
England Predicted Playing XI
RJ Burns, DP Sibley, JL Denly, JE Root (c), BA Stokes, Z Crawley, OJ Pope (wk), SM Curran, CR Woakes, JC Archer, SCJ BroadPitch And Weather Conditions
On the match day, the weather at Centurion is expected to be mostly sunny. A perfect day to play the game of cricket. Daytime temperature can reach 32°c while nighttime minimum temperature is expected to be around 19°c. The weather will get cloudy around day 3 and 4 with a chance of a bit of rain on Day-5.
The venue for the match is SuperSport Park, Centurion. It is a premier test venue for South Africa.
Venue Details
The venue for the match is SuperSport Park, Centurion. It is a premier test venue for South Africa.
Toss Prediction
SuperSport Park is a good venue to bat first as the conditions deteriorate further into day 3 onwards. South Africa have won 9 of the 12 matches where they have batted first here. Thus, the team winning the toss should look to get a big score on the board batting first.
Winning Prediction
This is between a team who has traditionally done well at home – South Africa – against a team England who have dismal record away from home in the recent past. In tough situations, the knowledge conditions matter a lot, especially to the batsmen. England are not batting well as a unit and the bowling has not been firing either. South Africa might not have the might of the old days but they are playing at home and at one of their favorite test venues.
We predict South Africa will open the account in the ICC test championship with a win in the first test match at Centurion against England.
South Africa to win!
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