Team news, likely XIs, form guide, players to watch, odds, TV and streaming information, weather forecast, umpire appointments and everything else you need to know
England take on South Africa in the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup.
The game is scheduled for 6pm local time (2pm BST) on Saturday, November 6, 2021.
The game will be held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah.
Sharjah Cricket Stadium: Ground guide
England are one of only two sides with a 100 per cent record at the 2021 T20 World Cup, alongside Pakistan. Eoin Morgan's side cruised through their opening three fixtures, brushing aside West Indies, Bangladesh and Australia, before recovering from 35 for 3 to defeat Sri Lanka by 26 runs. And although they are only ahead of South Africa and Australia by two points, England's impressive net run rate (+3.183) means they can probably lose on Saturday and still reach the semi-finals. They will, however, be aiming to keep top spot to avoid Pakistan in the last four.
South Africa's campaign got off to a rocky start with a five-wicket defeat against Australia. However, they are unbeaten in three matches since then, defeating West Indies, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The Proteas are currently third in the table, behind Australia - who play West Indies in Saturday's day match - on net run rate. If Australia win, South Africa will need a dominant victory over England to secure second place; if Australia lose, any win will do.
Dafabet have installed England as the favourites for this match, offering odds of 4/9. South Africa are available at 17/10.
Two players have lit up the T20 World Cup for England: Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes. Buttler, who is ranked 38th on the T20 Player Index, scored his first T20I century againt Sri Lanka on Monday and is the leading run-scorer in the Super 12s, with 214 runs at a strike rate of 153.95. Woakes, meanwhile, has taken five wickets and conceded just 5.76 runs per over, excelling in the powerplay, and has also picked up four catches.
South Africa's entire bowling attack will be heading into this match high on confidence after demolishing Bangladesh on Tuesday. Anrich Nortje, is particular, could cause England problems. The 27-year-old right-armer is yet to be hit for a six in this tournament and has taken eight wickets in 15.2 overs. The battle between him and England's big hitters will be exciting to watch.
England are without Tymal Mills for the remainder of the T20 World Cup after the death specialist picked up a thigh strain against Sri Lanka. Reece Topley has been brought into the squad to replace him but Mark Wood is the favourite to start against South Africa.
South Africa will likely go unchanged.
The following umpires and match referees have been named by the ICC to officiate in the T20 World Cup 2021:
Referees: David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Ranjan Madugalle, Javagal Srinath
Umpires: Chris Brown, Aleem Dar, Kumar Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Michael Gough, Adrian Holdstock, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nitin Menon, Ahsan Raza, Paul Reiffel, Langton Rusere, Rod Tucker, Joel Wilson, Paul Wilson
The following officials have been allocated to this fixture:
On-field umpires: Brown, J Wilson
TV umpire: P Wilson
Fourth umpire: Tucker
Referee: Boon
Full T20 World Cup officials appointments: Click here
Temperatures will hover around 28 degrees Celsius at the start of play before cooling slightly.
Follow the Met Office forecast here.
Yes, though Covid protocols including the wearing of face masks will be in place.
Click here to visit the ICC's ticketing site.
South Africa have it all to play for and will come out fighting. England, however, should be too strong.
T20 WORLD CUP TEAM GUIDES
Sky Sports Cricket (Sky 404, Talk Talk 404, BT TV 423, Virgin 504) will broadcast the series in the United Kingdom, with the content available online via its streaming platform Sky Go.
BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra will have live ball-by-ball radio commentary of all tournament matches, accessible through the BBC Sport website, BBC Sounds or DAB radio.
The Star Sports network is showing the tournament in India. Matches can be streamed via Disney+ Hotstar
Other broadcasters by territory:
Australia - Fox Sports, Channel 9, Kayo Sports
New Zealand – Sky Sport New Zealand
Pakistan - PTV Sports, Ten Sports
Bangladesh - Ghazi Tv (GTV)
Sri Lanka – SLRC (Channel Eye)
South Africa – SuperSport
Caribbean – ESPN
Middle East and North Africa – eLife TV, StarzPlay, Switch TV
USA – ESPN+
Singapore - Star Cricket, Star Hub and Singtel
Malaysia - Fox International Channels
Hong Kong - Star Cricket
England: Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Tymal Mills (injured, replaced by Reece Topley on November 3), Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen,, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen.
England: Jason Roy, Jos Buttler, Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
West Indies: Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi
T20 World Cup Hub: News, features, stats, live scores
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