As Group 2 pace-setting forces clash in St Lucia, coming hope meet current needs.

Great picture: Who may give way at the top of Group 2?

What will happen in the play that follows these two groups future?

On the face of it, things are going smoothly for South Africa. They are unbeaten at the tournament and have won matches when both setting targets and chasing but, and this is a big but, none of it has been easy. It's not just they were pushed by former champions Sri Lanka (who actually did the least pushing) and fellow Super Eighters Bangladesh but also by three Associates: Netherlands, Nepal and USA. If England were watching, they will have seen the flaws in South Africa's make-up, most notably in the batting. Two of the top three - Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram - have only just found form and the middle-order have not yet had the opportunity to play to their potential.

England will have been more focused on producing their personal theatrics. They have played and lost to their biggest foes, Australia, and they have survived a group-stage panic where they were all but eliminated after being beaten against Scotland. After Scotland's obstacle had faded, their net-run-rate-boosting victories over Oman and Namibia helped ensure their survival, but their most recent victory over West Indies may still help them advance their plan. Given that the USA is a group of four competing in the Super Eight, it is entirely possible that three teams will each receive two victories, which would be significant given their opponent standing in Group 2. England's is now at 1.34, which leaves them in a fine place, and after their weak stop, they would like to assume they've got on a roll.

South Africa may say that they are already in the process and that all they need to do is maintain consistency with the forthcoming victories. Their second challenge is to maintain their winning stop against two previous leaders. England's process is much less intangible. South Africa humbled them at the 2023 ODI World Cup, in the middle of a horror run they do n't want to repeat, and with only USA to come, they have a chance to stamp their authority on this event.

Type guide

South Africa: WWWWW ( last five matches, most recent first )
England: WWWLW

In the spotlight: Opening pitchers and the quickest of the rapid

In their final game, Quinton de Kock and Phil Salt both scored in their best pitches of the T20 World Cup, with 74 goals for South Africa and 87 for England, who defeated West Indies 181 for victory. The figures were n't exactly what the couple might have liked before those knocks. De Kock had values of 20, 0, 18 and 10 and Salt 37, 12 and 11. Starts, for positive and critical to the voice of the wickets, but they were not there at the finish. How well players perform in their next two fits could determine their respective teams ' chances of reaching the semi-finals, as well as having players with their anger wicket through on surfaces that appear to have run out.

Jofra Archer makes a compelling opposition because South Africa have n't yet had a consistent and true pace. He leads England's bowling total at the tournament so far, has their best market rate of 6.58, and could be a savior for a top-order that is still struggling to find its foot in the competition. They'll promise to shop- punch through Anrich Nortje, who equalled Dale Stey n's document for the most innings by a South African at T20 World Cups in the last match, and has looked menacing throughout. Nortje is the game's subsequent- highest wicket- keeper so far and has been played with admiration. Does England's pitchers, who enjoy rate on, display him the same?

Team information: Changes eager for both teams?

In Antigua, South Africa chose to couch Ottneil Baartman to make room for an additional spin, but they are spoilt for choice when it comes to bowling. Although Tabraiz Shamsi was cheap against the USA, they might consider substituting Bjorn Fortuin for that team content in St Lucia. Given the variants he offers, Baartman may also be up in argument, which is a case of juggling three players in one area.

South Africa: 1 Quinton de Kock (wk ), 2 Reeza Hendricks, 3 Aiden Markam, 4 Tristan Stubbs, 5 Heinrich Klaasen (wk ), 6 David Miller, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Keshav Maharaj, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Tabraiz Shamsi/Ottneil Baartman, 11 Anrich Nortje

England stormed to a compelling win with this Viii at this place over West Indies, but the little turnaround means Mark Wood may be credited a break from the action after another fervent, if unappreciated, display. Will Jacks struggled to convert his hostile intent into operates in his two appearances against Australia and Oman, with Chris Jordan arguably making the cut.

England: 1 Phil Salt, 2 Jos Buttler ( capt, wk ), 3 Moeen Ali, 4 Jonny Bairstow, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Liam Livingstone, 7 Sam Curran, 8 Jofra Archer, 9 Adil Rashid, 10 Mark Wood / Chris Jordan, 11 Reece Topley

Ball and circumstances

Works, and a fair few of them, have been accessible throughout the matches that have been played around with a initial- innings ordinary of 187. But, it's not all smooth sailing for pitchers. There's fine swing and take on give and some hold, which brought England's spinner into perform against West Indies. Given that all three of the games have been day games, the question is whether playing the match in the morning will have an impact on the circumstances. Weather-wise, weather is forecast for Friday, but it's expected to be clear and humid with a high of 31 degrees.

Figures and trivia

The brain- to- head report between England and South Africa is all- circle with each team having won 12 fits against the other. At T20 World Cups, South Africa hold the upper hand and have beaten England four days in their six conferences, including their most recent fight in Sharjah in 2021.

Tabraiz Shamsi is one wicket shy of 300 in all T20s, while Anrich Nortje is two innings apart from 50 in T20Is.

Jos Buttler needs 19 more works to become the eighth batter to 1, 000 in all T20s this time. Now, there are five South Africans with that many for 2024: Reeza Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen and Ryan Rickelton.

Quotes

"Hopefully."
Kagiso Rabada's one- expression answer when asked if South Africa are peaking at the right time

" A lot of people say you learn when you lose, but I really believe you learn when you win as well. It's important to reflect on what we did also now. We had a good performance, then we'll set that to sleep and focus on the next achievement".
Jos Buttler, England's national anthem, has already made enough of the lies about losing.