Ngidi, Burger return as Proteas start ODI series with England

The last thing on Temba Bavuma’s mind two days before the first ODI against England was cricket. 

He spent Sunday cheering Liverpool at Anfield as they defeated Arsenal and much as Dominik Szoboszlai produced a wonder strike to give his side victory, Bavuma will want some magic from his batters at Headingley today (2pm SA time).

Though SA aren’t bothered by individual landmarks, the batters were irked that not one of the five half-centuries scored against Australia in the recent series were turned into centuries. 

There is a greater team ethos the Proteas abide by that batting coach Ashwell Prince said last week puts a greater value on having an affect than scoring 100. 

Nevertheless, 100s are nice and it could be argued that by making a three-figure score a batter is affecting a match. 

SA won the ODI series in Australia but left that country chastened by a record defeat in the last match and reflecting on many areas that could do with improvement. Bavuma is hoping conversations about the batting, centring on good starts and then showing more assertiveness before the last power play, will be put into practice in the three matches against England.

Bavuma named the starting team yesterday, with Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi returning after missing the third ODI in Mackay. However, Matthew Breetzke, who has started his ODI career with four consecutive scores of 50 or more, is still on a rehabilitation programme after injuring a hamstring.

That means Tony de Zorzi holds onto his place at No 4. The left-hander, who celebrated his 28th birthday last Thursday, looked in good touch in the two matches he played against Australia, but gave his wicket away after making 38 and then 33. 

Tristan Stubbs will want to put the Australia tour behind him. He also made several starts but his batting lacked its usual verve and his fielding was embarrassing, with five catches going down. 

No-one is sure what to expect from the English. Their captain Harry Brook is still new, but if the way he bats serves as the template for the rest of them, it may lead to a return to the type of style they employed in the period before the 2019 World Cup, which they won.

The Proteas last played an ODI series in England in 2022, but only three players - Aiden Markram, Ngidi and Keshav Maharaj - who featured then, will start today.