Smarting From Shock Losses, England And South Africa Look To Turn The Tide

Reeling from upsets in their previous outings, a formidable South Africa will have an upper hand against a faltering England when the two teams meet in a World Cup match in Mumbai on Saturday. Having recorded the highest total of this competition (428/5) previously, South Africa crumbled against the Netherlands in a rain-truncated game in Dharamsala for their first loss in the competition. Similarly, England too caved in to pressure when Afghanistan brought out their best with the ball in Delhi.

England may have a 4-3 record over South Africa in 50-over World Cup history but it is the Proteas who have had a better run in this edition.' South Africa sizzled at the start of the tournament beating Australia and Sri Lanka by more than 100 runs but their second consecutive defeat in ICC events to the Netherlands showed the Proteas' vulnerability under pressure.

A defeat to the Dutch notwithstanding, South Africa will have enough confidence in their ranks to outgun England, who are struggling almost in all departments and are yet to put a collective effort on the field.

England have been largely rusty and inconsistent despite having a dangerous squad on paper. They are likely to have the services of their "spiritual leader" Ben Stokes for the game at Wankhede. Stokes missed the first three games due to a hip injury.

Jos Buttler's men took a battering at the hands of New Zealand in the tournament-opener and despite bossing over a feeble Bangladesh, they were bludgeoned by Afghanistan in the World Cup's first upset.

With scores of 43, 20 and 9 in three matches so far, Buttler has not made a mark on the tournament in conditions he has extensive knowledge of.

If Buttler is a concern in the middle-order, Liam Livingstone's returns