The second One Day International between England and South Africa takes place at Lords on Thursday and in terms of the series the Proteas are 1-0 up with two to play
This is a 3 match series with the final contest taking place at Southampton on Sunday, after which there will be 3 T20's
1st ODI Wrap
England were firm favourites for the first ODI trading at around 11/20 but it was the Proteas who dominated, coming out on top by 7 wickets in a one sided contest.
South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first and the decision paid off as England's innings of just 24.3 overs saw them all out for 131. Jamie Smith, opening the batting top scored with 53, no other England batsman made it past 15 runs. Maharaj took 4 wickets and Mulder 3.
Openers Markram with 86 and Rickleton (31) put the issue beyond doubt and although England took 3 late wickets the chase comprised of just 20.5 overs.
This was how the teams lined up at Leeds on Tuesday
England: Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Sonny Baker
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi
England Recent Form
England completed a 3-0 clean sweep of West Indies in a home series in May / June this year. They won the opening game by 238 runs, the second match by 3 wickets and the third by 7 wickets.
South Africa Recent Form
The Proteas won a 3 match series in Australia in August. They made sure of the series victory after coming out on top by 98 runs in the first match and 84 runs in the second. They lost the final game by a massive 276 run margin after the Aussies piled on 431/2 batting first.
South Africa were losing semi finalists in the Champions Trophy in February / March this year, going down to New Zealand by 50 runs. The Proteas had topped Group B of that tournament, unbeaten with 2 wins and 1 no result. Either side of a washout against Australia they made short work of Afghanistan, winning by 107 runs and they also beat England by 7 wickets.
Head to Head
Overall the teams have met 72 times in this format with South Africa winning 36 to England's 30 with 1 tie and 5 no results.
The Venue, Lords, London
Over the course of the last decade 11 ODI's at Lords involving England have delivered 7 wins for the hosts, 3 defeats and 1 ties
The most recent ODI came in September 2024 when England (312/5) beat Australia (126) by 186 runs
South Africa beat England by 7 wickets at Lords in May 2017
Click here for the Lords weather forecast
The Betting
At the time of writing Betway have England as 7/10 favourites with South Africa available at 23/20.
Prices subject to change
The Verdict
The Proteas impressed in the first 2 matches to wrap up a 3 match series in Australia recently and on Tuesday's evidence that pattern could well be repeated. That said with the batting talent England have it's hard to fathom why their form has been so poor.
Maharaj came through for us as top SA Bowler at Leeds continuing his rich vein of form. One early pick for me at Lords is for the first innings to see any player score a century in the first innings. I can only see England improving with the bat and the Proteas also have some likely contenders.
More picks will be available on the weekly cricket thread on our new discussion forum, take a look here and if you haven't already done so, click here create an account.
Bet: 1st Innings any player to score 100? (yes) at 13/10 with Betway
Prices subject to change