Key events
WICKET! Hendricks b Rashid 85 (South Africa 164-3)
Rashid! Whips out the googly, Hendricks pushes at it and is distraught to play on.
25th over: South Africa 163-2 (Hendricks 85, Markram 12)Root is pulled off after 6.1 overs for 48. A super over from Atkinson, just a couple from it.
Tell you what, that tummy bug for Temba hasn’t worked out too badly for South Africa…
— Lawrence Booth (@BoothCricket) October 21, 2023
24th over: South Africa 161-2 (Hendricks 84, Markram 11) Score predictor now up to 350 plus. Rashid asserts some calm, but still five singles off the over. He looks tired, both hands on his hips as he hands the ball to the umpire, sweat balling on his forehead.
23rd over: South Africa 156-2 (Hendricks 81, Markram 9) Root tosses one up, and wide, and Hendricks clobbers it over extra cover for six, veins bulging in his right arm. And again, with an even better pick up, front foot slam and fire.
22nd over: South Africa 140-2 (Hendricks 66, Markram 8) Hendricks hits, scythes, with the spin, over extra cover for four. Rashid hits back with two dots. A kite swoops over Marine Drive.
21st over: South Africa 134-2 ( Hendricks 61, Markram 7) Markram quickly into his work with a brisk late-cut for four off Root.
20th over: South Africa 126-2 ( Hendricks 59, Markram 1) Rashid with the breakthrough! Much needed by England, extremely well-judged by Bairstow, it was a long wait while it fell to earth.
WICKET! van der Dussen c Bairstow b Rashid 60 (South Africa 125-2)
Goes for a slog-sweep, but straight in the air, well caught at midwicket by Bairstow, staring into the sun, straight into those giant paws.
19th over: South Africa 123-1 (van der Dussen 59, Hendricks 58) Six singles off Root. Pitch side, Moeen and Livingstone are engaged in earnest conversation.
18th over: South Africa 116-1 (van der Dussen 56, Hendricks 55) Adil Rashid appears, well enough to bowl, blue napkin in his waistband. VDD whips him to the midwicket boundary, and Hendricks does similar to uncharacteristically short hit-me ball..Ten from the over. Predicted score: 320, but this is a very high-scoring ground.
In the other game, Sri Lanka are 51-1 from 9.1 overs, chasing 262 against the Netherlands.
Fifties for van der Dussen and Hendricks
17th over: South Africa 107-1 (van der Dussen 51, Hendricks 50) Super fifties by both, revving up South Africa’s reply after a stodgy start. Root, temporarily at least, stops the boundary charge.
16th over: South Africa 104-1 (van der Dussen 49, Hendricks 49) Wood returns after the break, as we get a gorgeous overhead view of Marine Drive, and also some spectators standing on top of a nearby hotel roof with dubious safely protections. Easy-breezy: Van der Dussen off-drives a full ball from Wood for four, only to be upstaged by his partner who straight drives a Wood cutter for six.
15th over: South Africa 91-1 (van der Dussen 43, Hendricks 42) VDD plays a dinky glance behind, which runs just out of reach all the way to the rope. Four easy singles, and they take DRINKS, with South Africa cleverly on top.
“God you have to feel for Reece Topley,” writes Guy Hornsby. “He really does seem to have no luck. And while Willey presents a different sort of seam option, Topley is such a difference with height and bounce. You really hope it’s just a bang that’ll recover with a spray. 6 overs of Root will not be ideal. I can see why we made changes but so far it’s not really worked out , has it? Long way to go etc etc, eh. “
Eh indeed. Sending Topley much luck with the magic spray.
14th over: South Africa 83-1 (van der Dussen 37, Hendricks 40) Hendricks overtakes van der Dussen with a whip through midwicket for four, he then pulls Wood just inches short of the waiting Harry Brook. The heat is relentless, and it shows.
13th over: South Africa 76-1 (van der Dussen 36, Hendricks 34) Buttler turns to Root, don’t know if that is because he has to, or he wants to. Six easy singles from it. I don’t think Stokes can bowl here, so Root is going to be doing most of the extra work if Topley is ruled out. Not sure if Rashid is currently on the field or not with what seems to be a tummy bug.
Gary Naylor is in formidable Saturday morning mood. “Gus Atkinsin is playing his sixth List A match today. Can I be alone in wanting England, once they’re out, to get hammered in every match to force the ECB’s hand on its uniquely absurd domestic programme? In fact, I’m half-minded to delete that caveat altogether.”
12th over: South Africa 70-1 (van der Dussen 33, Hendricks 31) We get today’s first glimpse of Mark Wood. Screamingly fast, but South Africa have him in their sights, van der Dussen clips a beautifully balanced four in his lime green boots Hendricks hooks him – kerpow – for four.
11th over: South Africa 60-1 (van der Dussen 28, Hendricks 26) Atkinson reasserts some control – just one from the over, and that a single scampered on the overthrow, which is prevented from going for four by a good bit of relay fielding between Willey and Rashid (I think).
My old friend Tim de Lisle sends me a super stat: Before Topley’s injury 6.3 overs 20-1 at 3 an over; Since 3 overs 38-0 at 12 an over.
10th over: South Africa 59-1 (van der Dussen 28, Hendricks 25) David Willey looks hot and bothered, as Hendricks takes him for two successive fours, one a glance behind, the other a screaming high heels and dangly earrings drive through the covers.
9th over: South Africa 49-1 (van der Dussen 27, Hendricks 16) Atkinson is on, for his first World Cup game. Hendricks steps and drills him for four, past the giant Atkinson’s outstretched hand, over the deftly ducking umpire. And again, a funky pull him past midwicket. In the fourteen balls since Topley’s injury, there have been six fours.
“Is there any chance you could ask someone to ask someone to turn the ridiculous PA volume down a little please? I like your confidence in me David Newbould, but I can’t even get everyone to put their breakfast bowls in the dishwasher.
8th over: South Africa 39-1 (van der Dussen 27, Hendricks 6) We watch tv pictures as Topley gives the stairs a furious kick as he trudges up them back to the dressing room. He’s been so unlucky with injuries, poor chap. van der Dussen meanwhile, is just starting to open up, pulling Willey fine for four, then another short one pulled up, up and away.
”Greetings from the hotel falesia beach in Portugal.” Hello Ian Sargeant!
“Looking forward to a lazy morning by the pool keeping up with the cricket. It’s also my wife’s birthday (happy birthday Sarah) .
“Are there any links to the overseas TMS commentary which I can surreptitiously listen to whilst tending to her every wish?”
Can anyone help? And a very happy birthday to Sarah.
7th over: South Africa 29-1 (van der Dussen 17, Hendricks 6) Dawid Malan’s looping dive at cover prevents a four, next ball Topley topples over in his follow through, and hurts his left hand half-stopping a drive from van der Dussen. Van der Dussen pings the next for four through the covers– on comms, Steven Finn explains how sensation is so important in bowling. The physio comes out and does some uncomfortable looking squeezing. But the next ball goes for four too and Topley walks off the field. Root finishes the over. Trouble for England.
“
”Just as de Kock nicked that one, a pigeon flew into the glass door leading to the garden,” writes Kim Thonger. “I’m sad to report it is no more, it has ceased to be, indeed it’s gone to meet its maker. But what does this portend? A South African capitulation? And does anyone in Rutland want a pigeon for a Sunday pie?”
6th over: South Africa 18-1 (van der Dussen 6, Hendricks 6) South Africa reined in both by Willey’s control and the early loss of de Kock. They are almost jittery, resorting to a quick and borderline dangerous single off the last ball.
5th over: South Africa 16-1 (van der Dussen 5, Hendricks 5) A nice slide and stop by Mark Wood prevents a boundary, Adil Rashid returns to the field after an “extended comfort break” . And many thanks to all those who have pointed out that the British national anthem is in fact God Save the King.
4th over: South Africa 12-1 (van der Dussen 2, Hendricks 4) Willey again, shirt characteristically untucked, heavy tred to the crease. South Africa’s rebuild a pedestrican effort – until Hendricks picks up a much-needed boundary, off the mark to his 14th ball with a square drive.
3rd over: South Africa 7-1 (van der Dussen 1, Hendricks 0) England applying the squeeze – just one from the giant Topley’s over.
“Morning,” writes Tom Vd Gucht.
“I’ve never been 100% convinced about Willey’s ability at the highest level. Yet, I love his scrappy determination and feel for him in the way he seems to always make room for players who seem to have more stardust about them at the last minute. In many ways, I’d love him to prove me wrong and grasp his chance on the biggest stage “
Me too. The guy must have always been the best at sport at every step of his life, yet once he pulls on England colours he suddenly finds himself dispensable.
2nd over: South Africa 5-1 (van der Dussen 0, Hendricks 0) England will be hoping that Willey and Topley can control the power play, in a way that Curran and Woakes haven’t quite been able too. And Willey does just that, with a wipe back of his action man blond hair, sends down a maiden.
1st over: South Africa 5-1 (van der Dussen 0, Hendricks 0) Great over by Topley, a wicket, some swing and keeping the ball pitched up after being driven for four first ball. Just what the Buttler ordered.
WICKET! de Kock c Buttler b Topley 4 (South Africa 4-1)
de Kock goes second ball! He squeezed the first for four and went after the second in the same way, but a flashing drive gets only an edge. The umpire says not out, de Kock looks guilty, and England review immediately.
While they faff about in the middle, a little plug for Burley in Wharfedale CC, where Harry Brook learnt his cricket, who are fundraising to build new nets and mend the roof.
The national anthems. A jaunty Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika sung by the South Africans, arms round each others shoulders. And a mercifully short and sweet God Save the King. Seems a bit cruel that Adil Rashid has to stand next to Reece Topley. Here we go!
It’s going to be difficult for the players today. It is very hot in Mumbai with the mercury hitting 35 degrees, and air pollution recorded as “very unhealthy” early this morning. The current air quality is 185 AQI
“Health effects will be immediately felt by sensitive groups and should avoid outdoor activity. Healthy individuals are likely to experience difficulty breathing and throat irritation; consider staying indoors and rescheduling outdoor activities.”
Three changes for England – Ian Ward ponders whether that it is sign of panic. I don’t think Jos Buttler does panic. David Willey at seven will set off alarms though if England lose early wickets.
South Africa XI
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Cetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
England XI
England: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c, wk), David Willey, Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, Reece Topley.
Aiden Markram stands in as South Africa’s captain as Temba Bavuma is ill. Reeza Hendricks comes in at the top of the order and that is the only change.
England win the toss and will bowl!
“This is generally a good ground for chasing,” says a smiling Jos Buttler in royal blue. “We’re very forward facing, trying to impose ourselves on this game.” Three changes – Stokes, Willey and Atkinson in for Chris Woakes, Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone.
Ian Ward and Kate Cross are in the middle with the microphones, the sun is out, the bottom tiers of each stands look pretty full. We wait for the toss.
Preamble
Good morning! The round robin stage of this tournament shuffles towards half way – this is the final fourth round match – with just another five rounds to go before the knock-out begins.
Today we’re in Mumbai, where England, buoyed by the return of Ben Stokes, take on South Africa in the big battle of the chasing pack. South Africa have two victories under their belt – thrashing Australia and Sri Lanka before slipping on the Netherlands banana skin, another win and they’d be clear of Pakistan and Australia in third. England, the holders, the mighty demigods, the big beasts, have only a victory against Bangladesh to show for their efforts, after coming a cropper to Afghanistan and New Zealand. With Australia thrashing Pakistan on Friday, they can’t afford to stall again.
Earlier this week, England white ball coach Matthew Mott said that getting off to a flyer “can be a bit of a curse,” but they need to beat South Africa unless they want to spend the next few weeks trudging hopelessly around India. He has promised only “minor tweaks” so expect Stokes to return for either Brook or Livingstone and Chris Woakes, who has looked out of sorts, to possibly return to the bench.
Play starts at 9.30 am, see you here for the toss.
