Former England captain Paul Collingwood believes the Jos Buttler-led side will play four spinners against India in the second semifinal of the T20 World Cup in Guyana on Thursday. The veteran cricketer said Adil Rashid is a “golden nugget” for England and will pose a challenge against Indian batters on a spin-friendly pitch at Providence Stadium amid the prediction of rain in the encounter. “He is a golden nugget for the England cricket team. He comes on naturally in the sixth over, I think the one thing about Rashid is, that his wrong’uns seem to be so difficult to pick. And he’s got real good deception. Now in T20 cricket, deception is key. Whether it’s slower balls or being able to turn the ball both ways. And he is looking really comfortable at the moment.”

“Indian batsmen generally play spin very well, but I think Adil Rashid, the way that he is bowling at the moment, we just have to wait and see what the conditions are like. There’s a chance that England could actually go with four spinners themselves,” Collingwood said during the Star Sports Press Room.

“Obviously, Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone, who is actually an all-rounder who can bowl leg-spin and off-spin. And you never know, if the wickets are so dry, you can go with Will Jacks as well. So, plenty of options, but I think Adil Rashid is on top of his game, and this is the beauty of the World Cup. You’re gonna have a leg spinner now at the top of his game, confident, up against some of the best batters in the world. And that’s why it’s gonna be such a good spectacle, and we’re all down to see it,” he added.

On the other hand, former Australia spinner Brad Hogg said India would not bring Yuzvendra Chahal in the playing 11 and will stick to Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav in the spin department.

“It’s a day game, so the wicket might be a little bit dry. But this is the good thing about the Indian squad—they’ve got depth in spin. They knew that when they got to the West Indies, they were going to play more spin than pace. But they’ve still got Siraj there that they can bring in, and they’ve got Hardik Pandya, so they’ve got more pace options if they want up their sleeve. Will they bring in Chahal? I wouldn’t bring in Chahal right now. I’d stick with Jadeja. You’ve got to stick with the playing XI that you’re going with,” Hogg said.

He added that Kuldeep and Axar will be crucial against left-handers while Jadeja would be a better option than Chahal if it’s not turning.

“I love the thought of the question, though. Chahal against England would be okay. But there are a couple of left-handers in the batting lineup for England as well, which could do a little bit of damage. Kuldeep Yadav has been bowling exceptionally well, and Axar Patel has been going well. Jadeja hasn’t been that flash, but he gives you so much in the field, as well as with the bat. And he’s a player that, in the right conditions, he can also lift with the ball. If it’s not turning and if it suits pace, I reckon Jadeja is a better option than Chahal as well. So, I’d stick with Jadeja,” Hogg added.

England vs South Africa: Super Eight – Match 5 Preview

Super Eight – Match 5 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2024, features England taking on South Africa. This match is set to take place at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia, on June 21 at 08:00 PM IST.

Match Background

England comes into this match with a strong performance, having defeated West Indies by eight wickets in their first Super Eight game. Similarly, South Africa emerged victorious against the USA, winning by 18 runs.

The last time these two teams met in a T20I was in July 2022, during South Africa’s tour of England, where David Willey and Tabraiz Shamsi were the standout performers for their respective teams.

Head-to-Head

In their 25 T20I encounters, England’s bowlers have generally outperformed, contributing the most fantasy points, while South Africa’s batters have been the primary point earners for their side. This match will test the skills and strategies of both teams as they vie for a crucial win.

Key Players to Watch

Philip Salt (ENG)

Philip Salt, a top-order right-handed batter and wicketkeeper, has scored 147 runs in his last five matches, showing consistent performance. His ability to score quickly at the top will be crucial for England.

Adil Rashid (ENG)

Adil Rashid, England’s leg-break bowler, has taken six wickets in his last five matches. His knack for taking wickets in the middle overs makes him a key player for England’s bowling attack.

Sam Curran (ENG)

Sam Curran, a versatile all-rounder, has scored 91 runs and taken four wickets in his last five matches. His contributions with both bat and ball will be vital for England’s success.

Ottneil Baartman (SA)

Ottneil Baartman, a right-arm medium-fast bowler, has been impressive with eight wickets in his last five games at an average of 11.6. His ability to strike early will be crucial for South Africa.

Tristan Stubbs (SA)

Tristan Stubbs, a right-handed batter, has shown potential with scores of 20, 27, 0, 33 and 13 in his last five matches. His middle-order stability will be important for South Africa.

Tabraiz Shamsi (SA)

Tabraiz Shamsi, a slow left-arm chinaman bowler, has taken six wickets in his last four matches at an average of 15.8. His spin bowling will be key in restricting England’s scoring rate.

England and West Indies are set to clash in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. Both teams have played four matches in the tournament so far. England qualified for the T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 stage as the second-placed team in Group B behind arch-rivals Australia. Meanwhile, the West Indies secured their place in the T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 stage after finishing at the top of Group C standings with eight points from four games.

The last time these two teams met was in the fifth T20I of England’s tour of the West Indies in 2023. In that match, Adil Rashid was the top fantasy performer for England with 67 points, while Gudakesh Motie led for the West Indies with 101 fantasy points.

Recent Performances:

England: In their most recent match against Namibia, England secured a win by 41 runs using the DLS method. Harry Brook was the standout fantasy player, earning 85 points.

West Indies: Their last match in this series saw them achieve a commanding victory over Afghanistan by 104 runs. Nicholas Pooran was the top fantasy player with 146 points.

Key Players to Watch

West Indies:

Johnson Charles:

A dynamic right-handed top-order batter, has been in solid form recently. Over his last 5 matches, Charles has amassed 127 runs, boasting an average of 25.4 runs per match. His consistent performance at the top of the order provides a reliable foundation for the West Indies’ batting lineup, making him a crucial player in their quest for victory.

Alzarri Joseph:

A formidable right-arm fast bowler, has been delivering impressive performances lately. In his last 4 matches, Joseph has taken 9 wickets, maintaining an outstanding average of 9.9. His recent encounters against England have been particularly fruitful, as he has claimed 6 wickets, showcasing his ability to trouble their batting lineup. Additionally, Joseph has a commendable track record at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, where he has taken 4 wickets in his last 4 matches.

Akeal Hosein:

A skilled slow left-arm orthodox bowler, has been in excellent form, claiming 9 wickets in his last 4 matches at an exceptional average of 6.9. His ability to dismantle batting lineups has been evident, particularly against England, where he has taken 5 wickets in recent encounters. Additionally, Hosein has shown proficiency at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, securing 2 wickets in his last 4 matches at this venue. His consistent performances make him a critical component of the West Indies’ bowling attack.

England:

Sam Curran:

Sam Curran, a versatile all-rounder, has made significant contributions both with the bat and ball. In his recent outings, he has scored 85 runs in three matches, demonstrating his capability to add valuable runs lower down the order. With the ball, Curran has taken 3 wickets at an average of 29 per match. His track record against the West Indies is notable, as he has consistently taken wickets in their encounters, making him a key player for England.

Phil Salt:

Phil Salt, a right-handed top-order batter and wicketkeeper, has been a reliable performer for England. Over his last 5 matches, Salt has accumulated 105 runs, averaging 26.25 runs per match. His role at the top of the order is crucial in providing a solid start, and his ability to keep wickets adds depth to the team’s lineup. Salt’s recent form highlights his importance in England’s batting strategy.

Adil Rashid:

Adil Rashid, a proficient leg break bowler, has been a standout performer with 7 wickets in his last 5 matches, averaging 26.8. His success against the West Indies is particularly impressive, having taken 7 wickets in recent games against them. Rashid’s ability to take crucial wickets in the middle overs makes him an invaluable asset to England’s bowling unit. His recent form and experience will be pivotal in England’s efforts to control the game.

Conclusion

The upcoming clash between England and the West Indies promises to be a thrilling encounter, as both teams are determined to secure a victory and enhance their positions in the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2024. Fans can expect a high-intensity game filled with remarkable performances, as both teams strive to outplay each other and move closer to their ultimate goal of winning the T20 World Cup.

Adil Rashid in action against India vs England in Cricket World Cup.© PTI