England vs South Africa 1st ODI: predictions, team news, betting tips and odds

England vs South Africa date, start time & TV info 

Date Tuesday, September 2
Starts 1pm
Venue Headingley, Leeds
Competition ODIs
TV Sky Sports Main Event

England face South Africa in the first of their three-game ODI series at Headingley. The hosts had a successful white-ball series against West Indies back in June and will be looking to build upon that.

Meanwhile the Proteas come here on a high after a series win away in Australia.

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England vs South Africa betting tips & predictions

Best bets

Lungi Ngidi to be South Africa top wicket-taker
2pts 7-2 bet365

Under 574.5 match runs
2pts 5-6 bet365

England vs South Africa preview 

Members of the South African cricket team visited Anfield to watch Liverpool's 1-0 win over Arsenal at the weekend and it could be another low-scoring affair when the Proteas take on England at Headingley in the first of a three-game ODI series.

The Hundred’s dominance of the English cricketing summer means that this is the first international action since a pulsating Test draw with India in July.

As is perhaps to be expected with a game of cricket in September, the weather looks likely to have a big say and showers are forecast in Leeds throughout the day.

Good yard stick for hosts

It was a defeat to the Proteas in the Champions Trophy in March which brought Jos Buttler’s reign as England captain to an end so this series will provide an eye-opening yard stick as to the home team’s progress under Harry Brook.

The hosts have managed to win all six white-ball matches under the Yorkshireman’s captaincy, securing whitewash victories over West Indies in both the T20 and 50-over formats.

However South Africa are fresh from a 2-1 ODI series victory in Australia in which they were without star pacer Kagiso Rabada so the visitors represent a significant step up on the Windies.

Rabada has recovered from an ankle injury in time to be included in the squad for this series but this first game has come too soon for him.

Ngidi could be danger man for visitors

In his absence Lungi Ngidi will lead the Proteas’ attack and is a solid pick to be the visitors’ top bowler.

The 29-year-old took a five-wicket haul against Australia last time out and has a solid record against England, taking 34 wickets in white-ball cricket against at an average of 19.08.

Headingley has been a batter’s paradise this summer but with the forecast overcast conditions, pace bowlers should be able to flourish and Ngidi is fancied to be the pick of South Africa’s attack.

Weather to have big say

While Leeds may have been a friendly ground for runs this year, the rain that has been forecast makes the line of 574.5 runs look steep.

It looks extremely likely that the game will be shortened and even though there are explosive talents on both teams, time may just run out for them to rack up a score.

The pair face off again at Lord’s on Thursday before rounding off the series in Southampton on Sunday.

South Africa will be looking to build on a solid series win in AustraliaCredit: ICC via Getty Images

Key stats for England vs South Africa

♦ South Africa have won four of the last five head-to-heads in this format
♦ England whitewashed the West Indies in their last two white-ball series
♦ Ben Duckett averaged just 17.57 in The Hundred
♦ Lungi Ngidi has seven wickets in his last two ODIs

England vs South Africa team news and predicted line-ups 

England

Sonny Baker will make his England debut after the pace bowler impressed in The Hundred. Brydon Carse plays for the first time since the India series.

Line-up:  Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (capt), Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Sonny Baker.

South Africa

Kagiso Rabada has not recovered from his ankle injury in time for this game.

Line-up: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickleton (wk), Temba Bavuma, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi.

England vs South Africa betting odds

Sign up with bet365 to bet on England vs South Africa in first ODI. Here are the latest odds for Tuesday's match.

Odds correct at time of publishing

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FAQs for England vs South Africa

When is England vs South Africa?

The first game of this three-match ODI series takes place at 1pm on Tuesday, September 2.

How can I watch England vs South Africa?

The full series between England and South Africa will be available to watch on Sky Sports.

Where is England vs South Africa being played?

The first ODI between England and South Africa is being played at Headingley in Leeds.

What is the match betting for England vs South Africa?

England are the favourites to beat South Africa in both this game and the ODI series, they are 4-7 to win the first game and 4-9 to win the series while South Africa are 11-8 to win the first match and 7-4 to win the series.

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