🏏ICC Champions Trophy 2025: South Africa vs England, 11th M, Gr B🏏 - Page 5

England (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith(w), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler(c), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood

South Africa (Playing XI): Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram(c), Heinrich Klaasen(w), David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

Teams:

England (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith(w), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler(c), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood

South Africa (Playing XI): Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram(c), Heinrich Klaasen(w), David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

Aiden Markram | South Africa stand-in captain: We are actually happy to chase, haven't chased in this comp yet, we are looking forward to have a good game against a strong English side. Two guys have had illness around the camp, Tony and Temba miss out. Unfortunate that they miss out but hopefully they will recover. Our last game got rained out, we had a few training sessions, we are ready for this game.

England have won the toss and have opted to bat

Jos Buttler: We are gonna bat first today, looks like a decent wicket, a few cracks there. I felt like it was time, so I didn't want to take more time to take that decision. It was an easy decision and I will do it for one last time, hopefully we can do well. A bit of sadness as well, it's an honour to captain your country, it's something you dream about. Saqib Mahmood comes in.

Too many class players.... difficult to chose.

England (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith(w), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler(c), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood

South Africa (Playing XI): Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram(c), Heinrich Klaasen(w), David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

Tomorrow is Virat Kohli s 300 th ODI game.💙💙.

Hope cutie David Miller plays well today

England opt for runs on the board, then - even with the memory of failing to defend 351 against Australia fresh in the mind. Both previous group games here saw 300-plus totals enough for victory batting first, as New Zealand saw off Pakistan in the tournament opener and South Africa swamped Afghanistan... but the ground also saw Pakistan pull off their highest ODI run chase (against SA) a couple of weeks ago

Richard A: "I can't remember a dead-rubber that had as much interest as this one. It's like a referendum on Baz-ball. England really have to show that they can deliver on an attack-attack-attack strategy."

Right then. Sun beating down over Karachi. Players on their way out. Time for the anthems

Geoff Edwards is twitchy: "The lifelong emotional damage that afflicts a Proteas fan means that despite the super long odds, I am still very nervous about getting knocked out the tournament"

The players and the umpires make their way out to the middle. Time for the National Anthems - England first and it will be followed by South Africa. Markram is in a huddle with his mates giving them a pep talk. The sun is basking in all its glory in Karachi - perfect conditions for playing cricket. Jansen to start off with the new ball.

Marco Jansen to Phil Salt, THATS OUT!! Caught!!