England, South Africa set for key showdown in tough Sharjah conditions

It's taken a few days for teams to acclimatise themselves to the prevailing weather and playing conditions in the UAE in the ongoing T20 World Cup, but it would be a surprise if they still find themselves without adequate answers on how to work their way around the natural challenges. It's hot and boundaries aren't coming easy on the slow and low pitches of Sharjah and Dubai. A lot of running would be expected from the batters and the fielders.

To the comfort of England and South Africa, they've both registered a win each before coming face to face with each other. As the early trends stand, both teams would favour themselves to make it to the semifinals. A win on Monday would most certainly leave them in a comfortable position to believe they can finish as table-toppers from the group.

Unlike South Africa, who outplayed West Indies in all departments to secure a thumping win in their opening encounter, England were pushed slightly by Bangladesh before they could get off to a winning start. Despite boasting of a superior team on paper, they would hope for a better showing, especially from their experienced middle order.

South Africa don't provide as stiff a challenge with their slower bowlers through the middle overs, but their pace attack offers ample strength even on the slow pitches to compensate for that weakness. Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits' stellar start to the campaign bodes well, but they too would hope for their middle order to be able to stand up to the challenges of the conditions when the opportunity presents itself.

When: England vs South Africa, Match 9, Monday, October 7, 2024, 6:00 PM Local Time

Where:Sharjah Cricket Stadium

What to expect: England have a fair bit of experience of playing on the Sharjah pitch, which has been the lower and slower of the two. However, South Africa, who are coming into the contest after a two-day break would hope to have prepared themselves well for the challenge. It'll be hot, boundaries will be hard to come by and run making will be difficult.

Team News:

England: No cases of injury were reported. England will look to stick to the same playing XI

Probable XI: Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Maia Bouchier, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight, Amy Jones, Danielle Gibson, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Linsey Smith

South Africa: Nothing is broken, nothing to fix

Probable XI: Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Marizanne Kapp, Anne Bosch, Sune Luus, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinola Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka

What they said:

I thought me and Boosh (Maia Bouchier) ran really well at the start and everyone else that came in we thought we all ran really well which we said we will need to do. The conditions pretty obviously were a bit slow and low. But I think it is just important to hit the pockets and just have the intent and bravery and it's going to be really important that we don't lose that. I was going to bat myself in and just keep playing my shots - Danni Wyatt-Hodge, following England's win over Bangladesh

(Batting is) Not that easy (here), one of the harder knocks I've had physically, especially fielding first at 2 PM and then coming in to bat after that was definitely not easy - Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa captain following her half-century against Bangladesh