In the first ODI being played at Headingley ground in Leeds, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and invited England to bat first. The match started in the sun, but rain is expected in the evening. Bavuma said that given the grass on the pitch and the combination of four fast bowlers, it would be important to take early advantage.
England captain Harry Brook would also have chosen to bowl if he had won the toss. In this match, 20-year-old fast bowler Sony Baker made his debut for England. He was handed the cap by England captain Jos Buttler before the match. Baker will support Jofra Archer with the new ball.
Joe Root is also included in England’s batting lineup, who played the final of The Hundred just two days ago. At the same time, the South African team has reached England directly from the Australia tour, where they won the ODI series 2-1. Their biggest challenge is the form of Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs in batting.
South Africa’s new opening pair Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton will take the field. In bowling, Keshav Maharaj will be the only spinner, who is currently the world’s number-1 ODI bowler in the ICC rankings.
Playing XI:
England: Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (captain), Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Sony Baker.
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wicketkeeper), Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi.
England vs South Africa Series 2025 Schedule
ODI Series
1st ODI – Sep 02, Tuesday | Headingley, Leeds
2nd ODI – Sep 04, Thursday | Lord’s, London
3rd ODI – Sep 07, Sunday | The Rose Bowl, Southampton
T20I Series
1st T20I – Sep 10, Wednesday | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
2nd T20I – Sep 12, Friday | Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
3rd T20I – Sep 14, Sunday | Trent Bridge, Nottingham
This match will be telecast live on Sony Sports Network. At the same time, fans can enjoy online live streaming through SonyLIV app and website.
England team will be looking to make a great start to this series, while South Africa will try to stop the English batsmen with their strong bowling.
Live Score
According to the latest score, England’s score is 85/3 in 15 overs.
Jamie Smith is standing firm at the crease after scoring 44 runs off 48 balls.
Jos Buttler is playing with him after scoring 1 run off 4 balls.
Wickets fallen:
Ben Duckett (58 balls, 27 runs) was caught by Nandre Burger at the hands of Rickelton.
Joe Root (14 runs, 17 balls) was sent to the pavilion by Lungi Ngidi.
Captain Harry Brook (12 runs, 18 balls) was run out.
Performance of South African bowlers:
Nandre Burger: 4 overs, 28 runs, 1 wicket
Lungi Ngidi: 5 overs, 20 runs, 1 wicket
Wian Mulder: 2 overs, 10 runs
Keshav Maharaj: 3 overs, 3 runs
South Africa won the toss and decided to bowl first and kept the pressure on England in the first 15 overs. It will be interesting to see whether the middle order is able to take England to a big score or not.
