The stage is set for an exciting battle as England (ENG) take on South Africa (SA) in the 1st ODI of the three-match series at Headingley, Leeds, on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Both teams are entering this series with high expectations, aiming to start their white-ball campaign on a strong note.
This encounter is not only crucial for the bilateral series but also an important fixture for fantasy cricket fans looking for the ENG vs SA Fantasy Prediction Today, best fantasy picks, and match-winning tips.
ENG vs SA Match Details
| Match | England vs South Africa, 1st ODI, South Africa tour of England 2025 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Headingley, Leeds |
| Date & Time | Tuesday, September 2, 5:30 PM (IST) |
| Live Broadcast | Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 1 HD |
| Live Streaming | SonyLIV (app & website), FanCode (app & website) |
ENG vs SA Pitch Report – Headingley, Leeds
The pitch at Headingley has traditionally been a good one for batting. Teams that settle early can post big totals, with the average first-innings score around 285.
-
Pacers: Early in the innings, seam bowlers can find swing and bounce, especially under cool and damp Leeds conditions.
-
Spinners: As the match progresses, spinners often come into play with grip and turn available.
-
Strategy: Winning the toss and opting to bowl first could be the best decision. Teams chasing have generally enjoyed success at this venue.
Fantasy Tip: Prioritize top-order batters and strike bowlers in your ENG vs SA fantasy team.
Weather Report – Leeds
| Temperature | ~18°C |
|---|---|
| Humidity | ~57% |
| Rain Probability | 25% (short interruptions possible) |
These conditions may favor fast bowlers, particularly in the powerplay overs. Seamers like Jofra Archer and Lungi Ngidi could be vital in both real match impact and fantasy points.
ENG vs SA Head-to-Head in ODIs
| Matches Played | 71 |
| Won By ENG | 30 |
| Won By SA | 35 |
| No Result | 5 |
| Tied | 1 |
| First-Ever Fixture | March 12, 1992 |
| Most-Recent Fixture | March 1, 2025 |
South Africa lead the rivalry slightly, but both teams have had several close encounters, making this series unpredictable and exciting for both fans and fantasy players.
Recent Form – ENG vs SA Last 5 ODIs
| England | W | W | W | L | L |
| South Africa | L | W | W | L | W |
England are coming off a convincing series win over West Indies, while South Africa recently suffered a heavy defeat against Australia but bounced back strongly in their last ODI series.
Team News & Updates
England
-
Sonny Baker set to make his debut.
-
Saqib Mahmood and Matthew Potts have been dropped.
-
Jofra Archer returns to the ODI setup, a major boost for the bowling attack.
ENG vs SA Probable Playing XIs
England (ENG)
Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler, Jamie Smith (wk), Jacob Bethell, Rehan Ahmed / Adil Rashid, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker
South Africa (SA)
Ryan Rickelton (wk), Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke / Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (c), Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, Corbin Bosch / Nandre Burger, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi / Kwena Maphaka
ENG vs SA Key Players
England
| Player | Role | Key Stats / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Root | Batter | England’s most reliable batter; 267 runs in 3 inns vs WI at avg 133.50 |
| Jos Buttler (wk) | Wicketkeeper-Batter | Aggressive striker; 190 matches, 5274 runs @ 39.06 |
| Ben Duckett | Batter | Consistent performer; 1176 runs in 25 matches @ 49.00 |
| Adil Rashid | Spinner | England’s premier spinner; 224 wickets in 152 ODIs |
| Jofra Archer | Pacer | Returning pacer, dangerous in English conditions |
South Africa
| Player | Role | Key Stats / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Nandre Burger | Bowler | 10 wickets in 7 ODIs; Best bowling: 3/30; Bowling average: 30.20 |
| Aiden Markram (C/VC pick) | All-Rounder | 2455 runs @ 36.64 + 20 wickets |
| Ryan Rickelton | Batter | Reliable opener; 387 runs in 12 matches |
| Dewald Brevis | Batter | Explosive young talent; fantasy X-factor |
| Keshav Maharaj | Spinner | Experienced; 64 wickets |
Probable Top Performers
-
Best Batter (ENG vs SA 1st ODI): Joe Root (ENG)
-
Best Bowler (ENG vs SA 1st ODI): Nandre Burger (SA)
ENG vs SA Fantasy Prediction Today
Suggested Fantasy XI
Wicket-Keepers: Jos Buttler (C), Ryan Rickelton
Batters: Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Dewald Brevis
All-Rounders: Aiden Markram (VC), Wiaan Mulder
Bowlers: Adil Rashid, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi
Alternative Fantasy Tips:
-
Include Jofra Archer or Brydon Carse in place of a batter for more bowling points.
-
Joe Root or Ryan Rickelton can also be safe captain/vice-captain choices.
ENG vs SA Captain & Vice-Captain Picks (Fantasy)
-
Captain: Jos Buttler, Joe Root
-
Vice-Captain: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton
ENG vs SA Live Streaming & TV Info
-
TV Channels: Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 1 HD
-
Online Streaming: FanCode, SonyLIV
ENG vs SA Squads
England Squad
Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton (wk), Jamie Overton, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Saqib Mahmood, Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler (wk), Will Jacks, Ben Duckett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Smith (wk), Sonny Baker
South Africa Squad
Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Codi Yusuf, Corbin Bosch, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Wiaan Mulder, Lhuan-dre Pretorius (wk), Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Tristan Stubbs, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Aiden Markram,
ENG vs SA Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today’s Match?
-
Headingley is a venue where batters enjoy runs, but early swing can trouble openers.
-
England have form on their side and the return of Jofra Archer is a huge plus
-
Prediction: The team bowling first has a higher chance of winning today’s match.
Conclusion
The ENG vs SA 1st ODI at Leeds promises to be a thrilling contest with two evenly matched teams. For fantasy players, the likes of Root, Buttler, and Markram will be key picks. With both batting-friendly conditions and early swing on offer, expect a balanced game of cricket.
Stay tuned for the best updates, ENG vs SA Fantasy Prediction Today, match preview, and expert tips throughout the series.
Read Also:
