"I am saying England will win" - Aakash Chopra on ENG vs SA 2024 T20 World Cup clash
Aakash Chopra has predicted an England win in their 2024 T20 World Cup Super 8 clash against South Africa. The two sides will face off in a Group 2 game in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia, on Friday, June 21.
Both teams won their respective Super 8 openers. While Jos Buttler and company registered a comprehensive eight-wicket win against the West Indies, Aiden Markram's side weren't as convincing in their 18-run victory against the United States of America.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra opined that England would beat South Africa and virtually seal their berth in the semi-finals.
"I am saying England will win this match. Why won't they win? England are coming after playing good cricket. They defeated the West Indies and will win this match as well. If England win this match, they will almost qualify, because I am assuming the USA will lose to all teams," he said (7:00).
The former India opener expects Phil Salt to continue his destructive form against the Proteas.
"England destroyed the West Indies. The West Indies didn't make as many runs as they should have and when England got to bat, Phil Salt thrashed them. I have expectations from Phil Salt once again that he will continue to bat well. He has Jos Buttler with him. Moeen Ali is being used well," Chopra stated.
Chopra noted that the defending champions have immense batting depth and a plethora of bowling options.
"Jonny Bairstow was sent up the order and he also played freely in the last match. So depth in batting is being seen and a lot of options in bowling, whether you talk about Mark Wood or Adil Rashid. You can get Liam Livingstone to bowl and Sam Curran bowls a couple of overs. So there are plenty of options," he observed.
England used seven bowlers against the West Indies. Although Mark Wood and Liam Livingstone proved expensive, the other bowlers were largely economical and restricted the Windies to a below-par total.
"If things go fine, they are a 180-190 team for sure but for that one of the openers has to fire" - Aakash Chopra on South Africa
Aakash Chopra reckons South Africa need either Quinton de Kock or Reeza Hendricks to fire to post a good total.
"South Africa, on the other hand, won with great difficulty against the USA. Quinton de Kock scored runs but Reeza Hendricks is not scoring runs at all. When two wickets fell off two balls, you were suddenly stuck. If things go fine, they are a 180-190 team for sure but for that one of the openers has to fire," he said in the same video (9:20).
The cricketer-turned-commentator noted that the Proteas might have a selection dilemma while picking their bowling attack.
"They will have to see whether they should play (Ottniel) Baartman, or both Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj, because they didn't play Baartman in the last match. Both Tabraiz and Keshav have good numbers against England, but will they be able to play both, that's the big question for Team South Africa," Chopra elaborated.
While Keshav Maharaj (1/24) bowled an economical spell, Tabraiz Shamsi conceded 50 runs for his solitary wicket against the USA. Ottniel Baartman, who picked up five wickets at an economy rate of 4.18 in four preliminary group-stage games, might replace the left-arm wrist-spinner in South Africa's playing XI.