South Africa vs England, 2020 ODI series: 5 Things to watch out for

#2 England’s search for their best new ball attack

Tom Curran has a great opportunity to cement his place in the ODI team

The English selectors have made an unsentimental and long-sighted decision to drop Liam Plunkett. This tall bowler was a key part of their ODI team in the lead up to and in the World Cup. He picked up three wickets in the World Cup final also.

While at 34, he has a few more years left in him, the selectors have decided to let him and focus on players who could play the next World Cup. So, now, England’s search for their best combination of seamers in ODI cricket restarts.

Jofra Archer is the first name that will be jotted down in that list. But he is out with injury at the moment. So, who will emerge as the three or four best seamers for the English ODI side now? Both the Currans – Sam and Tom – are in the team and both have good qualities that recommend them.

Then there is Chris Woakes who has been one of the unsung heroes of England’s success. Chris Jordan has been brought back into the team after time out in the wilderness. His selection may have been made with an eye on the World T20 – he did well in the 2016 edition. Then, there is the untested Saqib Mahmood.

Woakes is certain to start for England but who would be the other two seamers, or possibly the other three, is a difficult question to answer. This will also be a big theme of the series.