England vs South Africa tips and suggested bets: Champions can bounce back from embarrassing defeat

After defeats to New Zealand and Afghanistan, England are now looking at needing to win their remaining fixtures to stand any chances of qualifying for the semi-finals.

With some of the best teams in the world still to face, retaining the World Cup crown is looking like a very tall order.

But have some faith, South Africa aren’t much cop either.

England’s shock defeat against Afghanistan was only the worst result in ‘World Cup history’ for 24 hours before the Proteas were punished by the Netherlands.

There’s a lot of wound licking going on here.

So this has the potential to be a real thriller. Heavy hitters and pacey bowlers in each dressing room and the Wankhede Stadium, can create high scores and high drama.

The last time the two sides faced off at this venue, in the 2016 T20 World Cup, it was a classic encounter that saw England hunt down 230 – still their record chase in the format.

There are six survivors from that side still on parade seven years later, including Jos Buttler.

The big talking point is the changes England could make ahead of the match.

Ben Stokes is expected to make his belated arrival on the World Cup stage. Having missed the first three games with a hip injury.

His return means difficult decisions will need to be taken over the composition of the XI, with his stand-in Harry Brook having made a strong case for retention.

Brook would ordinarily be expected to drop out, but his fluent 66 was easily England’s best innings against the Afghans and he should keep his place.

Therefore attention turns to all-rounders Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone and Chris Woakes, who have been unconvincing in the engine room so far.

Woakes particularly has served up some dross, especially worrying since he has been 'Mr Reliable' following England’s white-ball reinvention eight years ago.

Three loose starts from the usually dependable seamer have undermined England’s efforts so far and an economy rate of 7.5 an over, coupled with two wickets at 67.50 each is a big worry.

David Willey and Gus Atkinson are waiting in the wings if England do decide to cut Woakes, although head coach Matthew Mott has admitted the team selection is still up for debate.

Livingstone could be the man falling for the return of Stokes. Twenty off 22 balls against New Zealand, a golden duck against Bangladesh and ten off 14 in Afghanistan match. Puts him in the firing line.

Mott has called for more aggression in the first 15 overs of both innings and this shuffles openers Jonny Bairstow (7/2) and Dawid Malan (11/4) as strong favourites to be England’s leading run scorer.

Bairstow hasn’t put on a monster ODI score since his 124 against India in Pune in 2021, but a 33 and a 52 so far at this World Cup (I’m ignoring that 2 against Afghanistan) makes him an encouraging punt.

Reece Topley has done well for us in the top England wicket taker column, and we’ll stick with him again at 10/3.

For the South Africans danger man Heinrich Klaasen (11/2) is of interest as top batter.

A wayward tackle during their pre-training football warm-up, left him on the deck for a while but he brushed himself down and appeared to be fine, and that's the kind of story the commentators will rabbit on about when he is closing in on a ton.

A tricky one to call, but go with an England win too, to cover up the defeat in the rugby later in the day …probably.

Predictions:

England win

Reece Topley leading England wicket taker

Jonny Bairstow top England run scorer

Heinrich Klaasen top South Africa run scorer