England and South Africa begin their World T20 preparations with a two-match series. The pitches though in South Africa will be in complete contrast to the ones the two teams are expected to face in India. The first match in Newlands will see teams try their preferred team combination for the World T20’s which might provide a good first-look of how teams shape up.

On paper, yet again, South Africa looks a different beast altogether with all the key ingredients perfectly in place with IPL experience being the most important of them all. With Quinton in top form, Proteas are likely to go with the Hash-QdK combo up top and with Faf making the no.3 his own, AB in all probability will be slotted back to the no. 4 position. The bowling again sees all the bases covered with all rounders in David Wiese and Chris Morris being the final pieces of the puzzle.

England players, unlike South Africans, have little experience in not only international cricket but also in sub continental conditions, thus making the decision to choose the best XI for the day a lot tougher. England’s pace attack, much like during the ODI’s, swing towards the weaker side with no apparent leader of the attack. The batting though with the likes of Hales, Butler, Morgan, Root and Stokes seems in good shape. Conditions in Newlands are likely to assist fast bowlers early on and with the firepower that South Africa has, it might just prove to be the match defining period of play for the Englishmen.

Playing XI (Probable): Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (Wk.), Faf du Plessis (Captain), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, David Miller/Farhaan Behardien/Rilee Rossouw, David Wiese, Chris Morris, Khagiso Rabada, Kyle Abbott, Imran Tahir

Playing XI (Probable): Alex Hales, Jason Roy/James Vince, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (Captain), Jos Butler (Wk.), Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Chris Woakes, David Willey/Liam Plunkett, Reece Topley

Stats and Trivia:

• South Africa has won 2 of the 5 T20I’s it has played in Newlands, while England has won 1 off 3.
• Of the 12 T20I’s played here, chasing team has won 9 times, losing thrice.
• Average Score in Newlands : 152