ENG vs SA Match Prediction, Who will win today 1st ODI match?

By Akshay - Sep 02, 2025 12:48 PM
Last updated on Sep 02, 2025 02:52 PM

South Africa tour of England 2025: The first ODI of the three-match series between England (ENG) and South Africa (SA) will be played on Tuesday, September 2 at Headingley, Leeds. The match will start at 5:30 PM IST

ENG vs SA Match Previews

England come into this series high on confidence. In their last limited-overs outing in May-June, Harry Brook's side clean swept the West Indies in both ODIs and T20Is. The win has given the team a new energy. Most of the players in the team have returned after playing in The Hundred, so they will be eager to change their strategy and perform well for the national team.

South Africa will come into this series on their own. After faltering in the T20Is, they recently beat Australia in the ODIs. The biggest boost for them will be the return of Kagiso Rabada, who was ruled out with an ankle injury on the last tour. With Rabada leading the pace attack, South Africa will hope to tear apart England's strong batting order.

ENG vs SA Top Picks

England

• Joe Root: In sublime form with 604 runs in his last 9 ODIs at an impressive average of 75.5, Root is the innings anchor and key run-scorer for England.
• Ben Duckett: A fearless left-hander, Duckett has scored 476 runs in his last 9 games with a strike rate of 115, known for quick momentum shifts.
• Adil Rashid: England's main spinner, with 19 wickets in last 10 matches at an economy under 6, reliable in middle overs.

South Africa

• Matthew Breetzke: Explosive young opener with 378 runs in 4 matches at an average of 94.5, putting pressure on opponents early.
• Temba Bavuma: Captain and consistent middle-order batter with 320 runs in last 8 innings, known for smart strike rotation.
• Lungi Ngidi: Key fast bowler with 14 wickets in 7 games, economy 6.59, strikes regularly and breaks crucial partnerships.
• Kagiso Rabada: Lead fast bowler with consistent wicket-taking ability.

ENG vs SA Pitch Report

The pitch report for the England vs South Africa 1st ODI match at Headingley, Leeds on September 2, 2025 points to a balanced pitch that is favorable for both batsmen and bowlers. At the start of the match, the pacers will be aided by light grass and moisture, making the first hour crucial for movement and swing.

As the game progresses, the pitch will flatten out, providing consistent bounce that will allow the stroke-playing batsmen to play freely, making it easier to score runs in the middle overs. The spinners could play a helpful role.

Captains prefer to bowl first after winning the toss. Historically, matches at Headingley have mostly been won by the chasing team, with the average first innings score being around 228 and the average second innings score being around 210.

ENG vs SA Match Playing 11

England (ENG) Possible Playing 11: 1. Will Jacks, 2. Ben Duckett, 3. Joe Root, 4. Harry Brook(C), 5. Jos Buttler(WK), 6. Jamie Smith(WK), 7. Jacob Bethell, 8. Rehan Ahmed, 9. Brydon Carse, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Jofra Archer

South Africa (SA) Possible Playing 11: 1. Aiden Markram, 2. Ryan Rickelton(WK), 3. Temba Bavuma(C), 4. Tony de Zorzi, 5. Tristan Stubbs, 6. Dewald Brevis, 7. Wiaan Mulder, 8. Corbin Bosch, 9. Keshav Maharaj, 10. Senuran Muthusamy, 11. Kagiso Rabada

Who will win today's 1st ODI match between ENG vs SA?

Aaj ka ENG vs SA match kon jeetega: The first ODI between England and South Africa at Headingley, Leeds today is expected to be a closely fought contest. However, experts and match previews favour South Africa to win, especially if they bat first and take good advantage of the conditions.

• South Africa have a better record in chasing targets at Headingley.
• If South Africa win the toss and bat first, they can post a challenging score between 340-350.
• Their bowling attack comprising Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj is expected to do well on this pitch.

However, England's home advantage, the form of captain Harry Brook and Joe Root, make it a tough opening match of the series, with England likely to win if they bat first and score 310-320.

Overall, South Africa are slight favourites, but the match can go either way depending on the toss and the opening momentum.

Also Read: PAK vs AFG Match Previews, Who will win today T20I Tri-Series 2025 match?

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