England vs South Africa: Ashes locations doubtlessly up for grabs as Harry Brook’s aspect play three ODIs and three T20s

Almost precisely a month since England accomplished a gripping Test sequence towards India, they return to worldwide motion with six white-ball video games versus South Africa, all dwell on Sky Sports.

The three ODIs and as many T20s towards the Proteas might battle to generate the identical depth, drama and needle because the red-ball fixtures with India however they’re nonetheless very important as England construct for The Ashes and World Cups down the road.

Here is why these matches matter forward of the opening 50-over conflict at Headingley on Tuesday (12.30pm on air, 1pm first ball)…

Ashes locations up for grabs?

Sure, the codecs could also be totally different, however sturdy white-ball shows from a couple of England gamers over the subsequent few weeks may maybe nail down spots on the Ashes tour.

We are considering primarily of leg-spinning all-rounder Rehan Ahmed, sluggish left-armer Liam Dawson and quick bowler Sonny Baker.

The similar may apply to seam-bowling all-rounder Jamie Overton, though he seems prone to be on the aircraft anyway after enjoying within the ultimate India Test and with severe doubts over whether or not Chris Woakes might be over his shoulder harm in time to journey.

Spin duo Rehan and Dawson are probably competing for one Ashes spot as back-up to Shoaib Bashir.

Dawson, 35, was most popular to Rehan, 21, for the fourth Test towards India in Manchester after Bashir was sidelined with a busted finger.

The veteran put in a stable if unspectacular efficiency in his first Test in eight years, placing with simply his seventh ball on comeback however then failing to use the small quantity of tough on supply within the second innings as he went wicketless.

Dawson was then overlooked of the sequence finale at The Kia Oval as Ben Stokes’ shoulder harm led to a change within the stability of the aspect.

Young pup Rehan might now have stolen a march on his senior rival together with his 23 County Championship wickets at a median of 19 this season – the Leicestershire man including management to talent – backed up by 5 centuries batting within the high three. He additionally ended The Hundred with 12 wickets and 189 runs for Trent Rockets.

Baker, in the meantime, has impressed together with his tempo and skill whereas troubling high gamers in The Hundred. They embody Joe Root, David Warner, Kane Williamson, Jonny Bairstow and, maybe most pertinently forward of The Ashes, Australia’s Steve Smith…

If the 22-year-old impresses in his first expertise of worldwide cricket towards South Africa, he might make the Test occasion or not less than be subsequent cab off the rank.

A primary skilled hundred for Bethell?

Barring harm, Jacob Bethell appears to be like poised to be England’s back-up batter in The Ashes however, because it stands, he’ll fulfil that position having by no means scored an expert century.

The ODIs towards South Africa are maybe an actual likelihood for him to interrupt his duck, with the left-hander set to bat within the middle-order spot from the place he crunched 82 from 53 balls at Edgbaston through the 3-0 sweep of West Indies earlier this summer time.

More importantly, although, they might give Bethell useful time within the center forward of The Ashes, one thing he has lacked this season after a solitary County Championship recreation for Warwickshire and only one Test look for England.

In that one Test look, towards India at The Oval, he regarded extremely rusty whereas amassing simply 11 runs throughout each innings.

Looking forward to 2027 ODI World Cup

England’s dire ODI kind previous to the 3-0 drubbing of West Indies in late May and early June had seen the 2019 world champions plummet to eighth within the rankings, placing qualification for the 2027 50-over World Cup in a component of doubt.

The high eight sides on this planet – or high 9 ought to already-qualified co-hosts South Africa end within the high eight – on the cut-off level in March 2027 will make the match later that 12 months, with these exterior having to enter a qualifying competitors.

England’s worry of lacking out has been largely alleviated with the sequence sweep of West Indies giving the aspect an eight-point cushion over ninth-placed West Indies and 11 over Tenth-placed Bangladesh.

They should not fully dwelling and hosed however extra success towards South Africa would go an extended solution to making that the case.

Expect Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith to proceed a gap partnership that prospered in two of the three ODIs versus West Indies – fifty stands coming both aspect of each gamers making geese in recreation two – and Root to little doubt flourish at No 3.

Building for 2026 T20 World Cup

Before the 50-over showpiece in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2027 comes the subsequent 20-over jamboree in India and Sri Lanka in February and March 2026.

England will certainly be in that competitors after reaching the semi-finals of the earlier version in 2024, so their short-form focus is on getting a aspect able to problem for the title in what might be captain Harry Brook’s first world match in cost.

The T20s towards a powerful South Africa supply the prospect for Dawson, left-arm fast Luke Wood and top-order batter Tom Banton to cement locations within the squad.

For South Africa, 22-year-old batter Dewald Brevis may play an important position towards England and within the World Cup early subsequent 12 months.

The right-hander smoked a 56-ball 125 towards Australia in a current T20 worldwide in Darwin – a knock that contained eight sixes and 12 fours – earlier than following that up with 26-ball 53 in Cairns by which he cleared the ropes six occasions.

Nicknamed ‘Baby AB’ together with his batting fashion and mannerisms akin to Proteas nice AB de Villiers, Brevis is one to observe.

England v South Africa fixtures

All dwell on Sky Sports, all occasions UK and Ireland 🕰️

• First ODI: Tuesday September 2 (1pm) – Headingley
• Second ODI: Thursday September 4 (1pm) – Lord’s
• Third ODI: Sunday September 7 (11am) – Utilita Bowl
• First T20: Wednesday September 10 (6.30pm) – Sophia Gardens Cardiff
• Second T20: Friday September 12 (6.30pm) – Emirates Old Trafford
• Third T20: Sunday September 14 (2.30pm) – Trent Bridge

Watch England’s ODIs and T20s towards South Africa dwell on Sky Sports, beginning with the opening 50-over match at Headingley on Tuesday (12.30pm on air, 1pm first ball). Stream with no contract.