Ahead of the three-match 50-over series, The Cricketer put together the best 11 players available for the upcoming matches...
One of the most consistent performers on the international circuit across all three formats, De Kock is the first name on the South African teamsheet. Reliable behind the stumps, often destructive in front of them and a class act off the field. It will be fascinating to see how the responsibility of the captaincy affects his form with the bat and gloves but currently, with an average a touch below 45, he has to be considered one of the best around against the white-ball.
Averages just 12.75 with the bat since winning the World Cup but remains one of the best white-ball openers England have ever had. Showed in dispatches towards the end of last summer that he has plenty to offer, but he badly requires a run of form to get into a positive grove. His place is marginally less certain that teammate Jonny Bairstow but much like with the T20 side when at his best there are few you'd rather have in the first powerplay.
No longer a three format player for England but even if he has been left behind by the T20 side, his importance to the ODI team remains. Can play both the role of top-order anchor, batting through the innings, and turn to attack where required. Despite some troubles in Tests, his 50-over form has remained quite consistent having averaged above fifty in each of the last four years. Still a classy operator.
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Had a difficult time of things during the last ODI tour in South Africa but you wouldn't bet against him bouncing back this time around. At his best, Morgan is among the finest and most fluid hitters of a cricket ball, striking with equal grace and power. In the field, he is a shrewd leader, a forward thinker and demands the best from his players. Without him, England can sometimes look lost and distant but with him, they are near-enough unbeatable.
Having established himself as a key part of the team during the World Cup, this is the time for the 31-year-old to kick-on and make up for his late coming to the international scene. Might be promoted up the order during the white-ball matches but that comes after some reliable displays in the middle. A calm operator with a sound technique and for the time being at least is the future of the batting line-up.
Just about the most talented and destructive batsman around in world cricket. While the debate rages over where he bats in T20s, his role for the 50-over side remains clear. Buttler has played little ODI cricket since the World Cup and could easily have skipped this series to rest up, but his desire to return to the format eventually influenced his decision. Has scored four of the eight quickest ODI centuries for England, and two of the top 10 for any nation. The absolute standard at this level.
Joe Root returns to the white-ball team
The Yorkshire leg-spinner is arguably the most irreplaceable member of the England white-ball team. The reality is Morgan does not have a spin option he trusts and can rely on to produce regular wickets and keep things tight. Master him, as Australia learnt eventually earlier in the year, and victory can be yours but that is easier said than done. If you're Morgan, you'd want talk of a Test recall to diminish in order to get the best out of him in limited-overs cricket.
With Jofra Archer skipping the series, England's new-ball hopes are in the hands of Warwickshire's finest who is perhaps the most undervalued member of England's World Cup winners. Woakes has transformed into a truly world-class performer at the start of the innings, with his deliveries to left-handers, in particular, causing problems. His opening spell against Australia in the 2019 semi-final will live long in the memory and will ensure he remains a key member of this side.
Still finding his feet at international level but his early results suggest he is here to stay. Fifty-three wickets at 21.50 is a mean return, particularly as 23 of his matches have come with the new ball. Ngidi offers pace and can be a constant threat, ensuring that there is no let-up after Kagiso Rabada's opening spell. His stand-out display came against Australia earlier in the year when a maiden five-for helped him past the half-century mark.
Anrich Nortje lit up the IPL
In the absence of Jofra Archer, it will be the Durham man who will be challenging Nortje to be the fastest man in the series. His role in the side has changed in recent years, going from new ball wizard to a vital player in the middle overs. His 90mph deliveries are a real trump card during that stage in the innings. Will be itching to do justice to his white-ball contract after not featuring in the T20s but with younger and fitter players waiting in the wings he can ill-afford any slip-ups.
Having ramped up the pace in the UAE, the 27-year-old is now impossible to ignore. Nortje is hostile and lightning-quick, which alongside South Africa's other quicks means the pressure on the opposition never relents. Has made just seven outings at this level, largely due to injury, but impressed against Australia earlier in the year with six wickets at 22.16. This series will be the litmus test of his ability over a longer period but there is ample evidence he can last the pace.
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