England is set to face South Africa in their final Group B match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on March 1 at the National Stadium, Karachi. After defeats to Australia and Afghanistan, England is already out of the semifinals race. However, they will look to end their campaign on a high note.
- Mark Wood ruled out due to injury.
- Gus Atkinson might replace Wood.
- Phil Salt could be dropped for Tom Banton.
- Jofra Archer and Liam Livingstone lead England’s wicket charts.
England’s Batting Performance So Far
England’s batting unit has shown flashes of brilliance despite poor team performances. Ben Duckett has been outstanding, scoring over 200 runs in just two innings. His spectacular 165 off 143 balls against Australia was a standout moment.
Joe Root also played a fighting knock of 120 off 111 balls against Afghanistan, showcasing his experience in the middle order.
England’s Bowling Performance
The bowling attack has been inconsistent, but some bowlers have delivered. Jofra Archer has been England’s most lethal pacer, while Liam Livingstone has been effective as a part-time spinner. Both have taken the highest wickets for England in this tournament.
Will England Play Gus Atkinson?
With Mark Wood injured, England might bring in Gus Atkinson as his replacement. Although Atkinson’s ODI stats are not impressive, with 13 wickets in 11 matches at an economy of 6.69, he could be given a chance in England’s last match.
Gus Atkinson’s ODI Stats
| Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 13 | 40.53 | 6.69 |
Other Possible Changes
England may also consider dropping Phil Salt, who has struggled in this tournament. With Tom Banton warming the bench, he could get an opportunity to showcase his talent as a wicketkeeper-batsman.
England’s Probable XI vs South Africa
- Tom Banton
- Ben Duckett
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Jos Buttler (c)
- Liam Livingstone
- Jofra Archer
- Jamie Overton
- Adil Rashid
- Gus Atkinson
England will aim to test their bench strength and build confidence ahead of future tournaments. Will the changes improve their performance? Fans will be eager to see how they fare against South Africa.
Check out the Champions Trophy Stats
