SAINT LUCIA: England have won the toss and elected to field first against South Africa in the 45th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 here at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground on Friday.

PLAYING XIs

One change for South Africa as Ottneil Baartman came back for Tabraiz Shamsi while England are unchanged.

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markam (c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Ottneil Baartman, Anrich Nortje.

England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Reece Topley.

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Speaking after winning the toss, England captain Jos Buttler termed the pitch “fresh” and foresees the moisture in it would cause the ball to swing early on.

“Fresh wicket, looks a good pitch, we fancy another chase,” Buttler said.

“Potentially a bit of moisture in the pitch and I’m sure the ball will swing on the breeze,” he added.

South Africa captain Aiden Markram shared that he would have bowled first too but is hopeful to post a big score on the board and “squeeze” England after that.

“Try to put a good score on the board and squeeze them after that,” Markram said.

HEAD TO HEAD

England and South Africa have locked horns 25 times in T20Is. Both sides emerged victorious 12 times each while one match ended in a No-Result.

Matches 25, England 12, South Africa 12, NR 1

FORM GUIDE

South Africa are in red-hot form in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 as the Proteas won all five of their matches in the tournament.

Whereas, defending champions England, who were at one stage, on the verge of an early exit from the tournament, have found the rhythm, and are currently on a three-match winning streak.

South Africa: W, W, W, W, W

England: W, W, W, L, NR

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