SIX BETWAY SA20 STARS TO WATCH IN THE PROTEAS V ENGLAND WORLD CUP MATCHUP

The Proteas and England will go head-to-head in a heavyweight ICC World Cup match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday.

The titanic clash will feature a host of Betway SA20 stars on both sides.

We take a closer look at six players that could play a major role in the outcome.

1. Jos Buttler (England, Paarl Royals)

The England skipper was the overall leading run-scorer in Betway SA20 Season 1 and is equally important to the defending world champions’ cause. Buttler has yet to fire, though, at this World Cup, having got starts in all three matches thus far without cracking on. He is due a big score and could just be lining up the Proteas bowlers at a venue he knows very well after previously playing for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

2. Dawid Malan (England, Sunrisers Eastern Cape)

The inaugural Betway SA20 champions have recruited England’s opening batter for Season 2, and not without good reason. The left-handed batsman is prolific across both white-ball formats, being a former World No 1 T20 batter and averages a mind-blowing 61.60 in ODI’s. He has already shown his class at this World Cup with a brilliant 140 against Bangladesh and is often the key to getting this dynamic England batting unit firing.

3. Adil Rashid (England, Pretoria Capitals)

England’s most prolific white-ball spinner ever played a major part in driving the Pretoria Capitals to the Betway SA20 final last season. Rashid’s experience and nous is unmatched with his ability to break partnerships by taking key wickets in the middle period of the game, vital to England’s strategy.

4. Quinton de Kock (South Africa, Durban’s Super Giants)

South Africa’s vastly experienced wicket-keeper/batter De Kock has been sensational during the early stages of this World Cup after striking two successive centuries in the opening matches. De Kock, who is retiring from ODI’s after this World Cup to focus solely on franchise T20 cricket, is determined to bow out on a high. He has also handed over the DSG leadership reins to Keshav Maharaj for Betway SA20 Season 2, which could just allow him to express his talents even more.

5. Gerald Coetzee (South Africa, Joburg Super Kings)

The young tearaway made his name in the Betway SA20 Season 1 with fiery spells that lit up the Wanderers whilst playing for JSK. He has since taken this same enthusiasm to the international circuit, where his vein-bulging celebrations and trademarked headband have already developed a cult following. Coetzee will face a baptism of fire against this powerful England batting line-up, but he has already shown he will not stand down.

6. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa, MI Cape Town)

Last but definitely not least is “KG” Rabada – the talisman of the Proteas fast bowling attack. Rabada lives for the big stage, and there is none bigger than the World Cup. After a disappointing tournament in 2019, he has certainly come back faster and stronger, delivering fiery spells against both Sri Lanka and Australia. He will certainly be up for a battle against one of his arch-nemesis Ben Stokes. Expect fireworks!