England have made major changes to their starting XI for their crunch World Cup fixture against South Africa in Mumbai, dropping Chris Woakes, Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone from the side.
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The defending champions have completely changed the balance of their team, dropping three all-rounders to re-solidify their bowling attack after a tough outing against Afghanistan. Ben Stokes has also returned to the side after missing England’s first three World Cup matches with a hip niggle.
Stokes will play as a specialist batter, with Livingstone making way in the middle-order. David Willey and Gus Atkinson have come in for Woakes and Curran, who were expensive in their outings in the tournament so far. Woakes conceded 0-41 off four overs against Afghanistan while Curran conceded 0-46.
South Africa have also made a change, albeit an enforced one following their shock defeat to the Netherlands. Captain Temba Bavuma is unwell and has been replaced in the top-order by Reeza Hendricks. Aiden Markram will captain the Proteas in Bavuma’s absence.
England make three changes to their starting XI vs South Africa:
❌ OUT – Liam Livingstone, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran
✅ IN – Ben Stokes, David Willey, Gus AtkinsonSouth Africa are without an ill Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram will lead the Proteas. #CWC2023 #ENGvsSA pic.twitter.com/nWkpU9tb4E
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) October 21, 2023
Both sides are coming off the back of defeats, with England upset by Afghanistan for their second loss of the competition after they lost their opening game to New Zealand. South Africa were shocked by the Netherlands earlier in the week having won their first two matches comfortably.
England are currently sixth in the competition table on two points, their one win coming against Bangladesh. South Africa sit in third place and in a qualifying position on four points, having beaten Sri Lanka and Australia.
England’s XI: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (WK+C), David Willey, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, Reece Topley.
South Africa’s XI: Quinton de Kock (WK), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (C), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.
