It will be raining cricket matches from November until February as we have several high-profile series lined up. One of them is England's tour of South Africa.
The series commences on November 27 when the first T20I will be played. Both the teams have a huge reputation in the format and have seen several players in the present and the past who had an impact that big that fans still remember it today.
Let's have a look at the all-time combined XI of England and South Africa.
1) Faf du Plessis
The Proteas is best suited to open despite his versatility and his records make quite a statement too. The ex-South Africa skipper has played 47 matches, scoring over 1400 runs with an average of 34.32.
However, it's his strike rate of 134.13 that makes him a vital part of the combined XI.
2) Jacques Kallis
Kallis had a glorious career and his record in test and ODIs is impeccable. He played only 25 T20Is but his numbers aren't that bad and that's the reason his experience adds more value to his presence in the XI.
3) Jos Buttler
The English man has been one of England's most crucial players, especially in this format. Buttler has been a reliable batsman most of the time and he can bat at several positions.
He can play the new ball, swinging in and out, he can play as a middle-order batsman and contribute heavily by laying a foundation for a big score and he can also come towards the final part of the innings and slog.
Buttler has featured in 71 T20Is and scored 1455 runs at an average of 28.53. He has nine 50s to his name and his strike rate is 140.17, depicting the style of approach he prefers when he is on the crease.
4) Kevin Pietersen
His presence may seem very unusual but his numbers have a completely different story to tell. Kevin has played 37 T20 games, scoring over 1150 runs with an average of 37.94, not bad for someone from the ODI-focused era.
His strike rate in international games has been 141.52 and that shows how destructive a batsman he was. With the abilities to be a part-time bowler too, Pieterson would only add more options for his captain.
5) Ab de Villiers
You cannot exclude Mr.360 that too in a T20 game. Perhaps the best T20 batsman in the world, AB de Villiers has a fan base from all corners of the world and that is something that speaks volumes.
In 75 innings, the Proteas has 1672 runs with an average of 26.12 while he has a strike rate of 135.17. He has 10 half-centuries to his name and these are some of the many reasons why deserves a spot in the all-time XI.
6) Eoin Morgan
Morgan since taking over has changed England's fortune. He deserves most of the credit because along with captaincy he also managed to keep up his numbers and his image as a destructive batsman.
He has played 94 T20Is scoring 2240 runs with an average of 30.27 and a strike rate of 138.96. He has been the backbone of England's middle-order majority of times and there's no questioning his spot.
7) JP Duminy
The all-rounder may not be relevant these days but there was a time when his dominance was evident. His hitting was surreal while every time he bowled, he picked key wickets. He has 1934 runs in 81 T20Is, averaging 38.68 with a strike rate of 126.24.
His bowling stats are astonishing too. He has 21 wickets to his name and an economy of 7.76 which is not bad for a spinner.
8) Imran Tahir
The veteran bowler has some brilliant numbers to his name and his celebration was something people will never forget.
Tahir picked 63 wickets in just 38 games with an economy of 6.73 and his best figures in the format were 5/23.
9) Chris Morris
Having played only 23 T20Is, Morris has 133 runs and a strike rate of 130.39. His bowling numbers are even better though. The dynamic hitter has 34 wickets too in just 23 games.
10) Ben Stokes
Stokes has 305 runs in 26 games and his strike rate is 134.36. Irrespective of that, the all-rounder's presence is quite obvious and he brings a robust personality with himself. He can win you games and we have seen it quite a few times.
11) Dale Steyn
Steyn gun was perhaps the most lethal bowler of his time. He was raw with his pace while his line and length troubled the batsmen a lot.
He picked 64 wickets in just 47 games and his economy was 6.95, something very uncommon was a new-ball bowler who also bowled at the death.
Cover Credits: theCricketer
