The Ashes is the more famous series, but the cricketing rivalry between South Africa and England is equally compelling, and has provided epic test matches and limited-overs encounters in its long history.
The two nations’ histories are intertwined, and their squads have also been over the years, with SA-born players such as Jonathan Trott, Andrew Strauss, and Kevin Pietersen turning out for England.
South Africa’s summer began with a visit to the sub-continent where they faced India – a notoriously tricky place to tour. England, meanwhile, have overcome their shaky batting form during the current visit from New Zealand. Soon South Africa will be heading to England to renew their old rivalry, with the first ODI scheduled for July 19th.
South Africa in India
Summer for the SA cricket team began in India this year with a five-match T20I competition. After four hard-fought and exciting games, fans were denied a final showdown, as heavy rain caused the fifth match to be abandoned after just 3.3 overs. South Africa took victory in the first two matches, the first of which (in Delhi) saw them chase down 212, which they managed in 19.1 overs. This was South Africa’s highest successful run chase in T20Is.
The second match in Cuttack saw another successful run-chase, with Heinrich Klaasen smashing 81 off 46 balls. But India proved no pushover, as poor batting displays in each subsequent game drew them level. South Africa managed 131 all out in response to India’s 175 in Visakhapatnam, and was bowled out for a feeble 87 in Rajkot.
South Africa – a team in form?
It’s hard to gauge South Africa’s form from a short, limited-overs series – the tour of England will feature three test matches, an entirely different ball game, so to speak. But South Africa has always travelled well, and the pitches in England suit them much more than those in India or Pakistan – we will expect them to score lots of runs, if they can withstand an England bowling attack rich in experience.
For those who like a bet, the series could go either way – there are plenty of sports betting sites to check out where punters can wager on the action, and many with an array of bonuses, whether or not you make a deposit.
England on the way back up
Despite early successes under Joe Root’s captaincy, the English test side saw a serious downturn in form in the last year, with batting collapse after batting collapse, despite strong bowling attacks led by the veterans’ Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad. Root stood down as captain after the disastrous tour of the West Indies, but remained in the side, with Ben Stokes taking up the mantle.
The turnaround has been incredible – Root is scoring runs again, as is so often the case when an opener is relieved of the pressures of captaincy. And the squad look fresh and buoyed. South Africa is always a force to be reckoned with, but bookmakers will be giving short odds to punters on sports betting sites.
The tour
Proceedings will kick off with three ODIs on 19th July at Chester-Le-Street (followed by Old Trafford and Headingly). 27th July will see the start of three T20Is, in Bristol, Cardiff, and Southampton – these are evening games under the lights, beginning at 18.30. All this leads up to, for many, the main event.
The Basil D’Oliveira Trophy (the SA vs England equivalent of the Ashes) is a series of three test matches, starts at the iconic Lords ground in North London on 17th August, before moving to Old Trafford in Manchester, then back to the capital for the finale, traditionally held at the Oval.
Expect massive crowds throughout the series – cricket is wildly popular in England, both for die-hard aficionados and casual observers alike, and the atmosphere (plus the sunshine and the beer) is great to soak up.
Between the limited-overs and the tests, the Irish will pop over the water to Bristol for two T20Is, on the 3rd and 5th of August.
All in all, it looks to be a busy summer of cricket for both England and South Africa. The old rivalry between the nations should provide for some drama and excitement. Let’s just hope the weather holds up.
