Reece Topley claims the wicket of Quinton de Kock in the first over

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England take on South Africa in a bid to get their ICC Cricket World Cup campaign back on track after two defeats from their opening three matches.

In Delhi, Jos Buttler’s side were left stunned and contemplating the nature of their 69-run defeat to Afghanistan, who only recently acquired full-ICC member status.

England’s batting had fallen apart, only Harry Brook managed to score a half-century as the wickets fell at intervals too regularly to chase down 284. The cracks that had been evident in their first two matches, when Joe Root and Dawid Malan were able to post significant totals, grew wider and became gaping holes.

It is worth remembering that England lost three matches and still qualified for the semi-finals when they went on to win the competition back in 2019, but with India, Australia and South Africa still to play, it is looking like a difficult task.

South Africa had a shock defeat of their own, a 38-run loss to The Netherlands, who are the only associate member in the tournament, where their batting, which had looked in good form ahead of the game, also struggled.

Here’s everything you need to know about the cricket World Cup fixture and get the latest odds here.

South Africa 49-1 (9) van der Dussen 27, Hendricks 16, Atkinson 0-10 (1)

Gus Atkinson will bowl for the first time in this tournament, in only his fourth ODI, and he makes Hendricks uncomfortable first ball of the over.

But the next one has been driven for four. It has been driven straight over the bowler’s head, but only just and that wasn’t far away from being a good catching chance.

That’s another 10 from the over, I wonder what England are going to do here.

South Africa 39-1 (8) van der Dussen 27, Hendricks 6, Willey 0-17 (4)

Willey will bowl his fourth here, and the commentators are just discussing how hot and humid it is which will not be conducive to England.

Willey’s length and line has just got a little wayward, he is hit for a four third ball of his fourth over.

And another boundary comes soon after, van der Dussen is just starting to find his footing and England will want to make sure they keep things tight.

10 runs from that over

South Africa 28-1 (7) van der Dussen 16, Hendricks 6, Topley 1-21 (3.5) Root 0-1 (0.1)

It looks like Topley has just caught the end of the finger here trying to field a delivery that just flicked the end of the finger and there’s a brief delay with the physio poised on the sidelines if he’s needed.

There’s a four fourth ball of the over from van der Dussen that will be welcomed by South Africa but Topley might be a bit frustrated.

And after that he has called the physio out to have a look at the finger.

It has not helped Topley, and he goes for two boundaries in two balls. This over will be completed by Joe Root. This could be a massive blow to England who will hope he can make a return.

South Africa 18-1 (6), van der Dussen 6, Hendricks 6, Willey 0-7 (3)

David Willey has had another solid over with just two from his third.

England will be happy with this start so far, they have the early wicket and South Africa are struggling to find the gaps.

South Africa 16-1 (5) van der Dussen 5, Hendricks 5, Topley 1-11 (3)

Willey is then called into action again the first ball of Topley’s third over with a stunning one-handed diving stop at midwicket to prevent a boundary.

The extra bounce of Topley is causing problems.

South Africa 12-1 (4) van der Dussen 2, Hendricks 4, Willey 0-5 (2)

Willey goes for his first run from the first ball of his second over.

And Reeza Hendricks finally gets off the mark from his 14rh delivery with a four punched off the back foot on the off side.

South Africa 7-1 (3) van der Dussen 1, Hendricks 0, Topley 1-7 (2)

Topley starts his second over with a wide, it’s his second of the day so far, but he has the crucial wicket.

England are finding the right lines and lengths here and the Proteas are struggling to get the ball away.

South Africa 5-1 (2) van der Dussen 0, Hendricks 0, Willey 0-0 (1)

Willey has the new ball in his hand from the other end, and is dangerous with the swinging white ball.

Having missed out on selection in 2019, he will want to impress this time around.

He has kept a tight line and length and has not gone for a single run, this match could not have got off to a better start from an England perspective.

South Africa 5-1 (1) van der Dussen 0, Hendricks 0, Topley 1-5 (1)

What a start for England! They will have wanted to make an early mark after the defeat to Afghanistan and they have the wicket of the dangerous Quinton de Kock in the first over, a great start from Buttler’s side.

Worth remembering South Africa might also be reeling slightly following their shock defeat to the Netherlands.

Wicket! De Kock out for 4! South Africa 4-1 ct Buttler b Topley

Quinton de Kock will take strike as Reece Topley will bowl the first over for England, he was in impressive form against Bangladesh in Dharamshala.

And he is off the mark first ball with a four, but there is a big appeal next ball! England have reviewed a caught behind, but de Kock is unmoved.

But he’s gone! the DRS review showed the ball hit the ground but also the top of the bat and England have their first wicket.

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