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South Africa - England 4th ODI Preview: Can the hosts level the series after dominating the third ODI?

South Africa take on England in the fourth ODI of the series at Johannesburg as they look to level the series after dominating in the third ODI

South Africa - England 4th ODI Preview: Can the hosts level the series after dominating the third ODI?
brandon-sayer
By Brandon Sayer

South Africa and England will play their fourth of five ODIs on Friday morning at 11.30am UK time, this time at the New Wanderers in Johannesburg with England currently leading the series 2-1. 

England come into the game looking to wrap up the series, and record a very good series victory in South Africa, but the hosts, on the other hand, will be very confident ahead of the game after dominating in the third ODI on Tuesday - winning the game by seven wickets.

Another thing that is in South Africa's favour is that it is Pink day, a day where everyone in South Africa comes together to help against breast cancer. South Africa have a 100 percent win record when they play in their pink clothes, by winning on the three occasions they have worn it in ODIs.

South Africa hit back with an impressive win in the third ODI

South Africa won the last ODI very convincingly, chasing down a very big total of 319 with ease thanks in large parts to their openers Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla, whose record partnership of 239 runs for the first wicket set a solid platform for the win.

De Kock had been in fantastic form since the start of the series, and once again showed his class by scoring 135 which was his 10th ODI ton, while Amla, who had been out of form, scored an elegant 127 to show his class.

Root shines for England in defeat on Tuesday 

England thought they had set South Africa a very tough chase thanks to fantastic 125 from Joe Root, who showed his own class in the shorter form of the game once again, and showed everyone that he is the man for all conditions.

South Africa enjoy playing at Johannesburg as it's one of their favourite grounds, and with all the support that they are due to receive at the ground it will only make them want it even more. England will be hoping that the pitch will have much more assistance for their bowlers than at Centurion, so they can wrap up the series.

If England do go on to win the series it would be a huge step forward from them, especially after a terrible World Cup not so long ago. It has been an all round team effort to get them to within a game of winning a series against one of the best ODI sides in the world.

Root raises his bat after scoring 100 (photo: BPI)
Root raises his bat after scoring 100 (photo: BPI)

Team News

South Africa will have to make a decision on whether to drop spinner Imran Tahir after being very expensive so far in the series. Marchant de Lange is one option that could come in to replace him, or Chris Morris could. If that change does happen it is likely it will be the only one as the rest are set to be unchanged.

England are set to play the same team for the fourth consecutive game even though the bowlers didn't perform well in the last match. If there was to be a change it could see Stuart Broad come into the team, and he would be confident knowing that he produced a match winning spell at this ground in the test match series.

Possible line-ups:

England: Alex Hales, Jason Roy, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Moen Ali, Chris Jordan, David Willey, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley.

South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plesis, Ab de Villiers, JP Duminy, Farhaan Behardien, David Wiese, Kyle Abbott, Kegiso Rabada, Mourne Morkel, Imran Tahir.