England bat first as Issy Wong, Lauren Bell make ODI debuts; Shabnim Ismail returns for SA

Posted By on July 15, 2022

England chose to bat v South Africa

A new-look England attack will defend against South Africa in the second ODI after Heather Knight opted to set the tourists a target in Bristol. Issy Wong and Lauren Bell have been handed debuts, replacing experienced seamers Katherine Brunt and Kate Cross.

Both Wong and Cross made their first international appearances in the one-off Test against South Africa last month and took five wickets between them. Former England captain Charlotte Edwards praised the pair’s inclusion as a step forward for a team who “haven’t always been willing to give young players a chance.”

South Africa, on the other hand, may see the double-switch as an opportunity to target some fresh faces after their batting struggled to get underway on Monday. They were bowled out for 218, thanks in no small part to Brunt’s 3 for 18, and her absence may provide them some breathing room.

But to square the series, South Africa know they need to improve in all departments, as all-rounder Nadine de Klerk said on Thursday. They’re looking for greater intensity with bat and ball, and have made one change to attack in the hope of an improved showing. Shabnim Ismail is back in the XI after missing the Test and the first ODI with a calf injury. Tumi Sekhukhune misses out.

England: 1 Emma Lamb, 2 Tammy Beaumont, 3 Sophia Dunkley, 4 Heather Knight (capt), 5 Nat Sciver, 6 Danni Wyatt, 7 Amy Jones (wk), 8 Sophie Ecclestone, 9 Charlie Dean, 10 Issy Wong, 11 Lauren Bell

South Africa: 1 Andrie Steyn, 2 Laura Wolvaardt, 3 Lara Goodall, 4 Sune Luus (capt), 5 Marizanne Kapp, 6 Chloe Tryon, 7 Nadine de Klerk, 8 Trisha Chetty, 9 Ayabonga Khaka, 10 Shabnim Ismail, 11 Nonkululekho Mlaba

Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo’s South Africa correspondent

Source: ESPN Crickinfo

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