LEEDS: After a straightforward series win over Ireland, England continue their build-up to the Champions Trophy from Wednesday with three One-day Internationals against South Africa, with the first game at Headingley a day/night fixture.

Much has been made of England’s evolution since their disastrous performance in the 2015 World Cup, and their progress will be put to the test against the touring South Africans.

In home conditions, England have been declared as the favourites for the Champions Trophy, with starts on June 1, but three games against A.B. de Villiers’ side will provide a clear insight into their chances of securing a maiden 50-overs global title.

With a long list of explosive and dynamic batters at their disposal, it is not difficult to see why big things are expected of England in one-day cricket this summer.

Openers Alex Hales and Jason Roy have developed a formidable opening partnership, although Roy in particular will hope to gain some time in the middle against the Proteas after a largely disappointing Indian Premier League outing.

Up to two years ago, England’s method to post competitive scores was a traditional one. Now, under the guidance of Trevor Bayliss and Paul Farbrace, England have completely shifted their mentality, scoring eight of their top 10 highest ODI scores since the last World Cup as a result.

Key to this transformation has been middle-order enforcers Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Eoin Morgan, although the captain’s contributions with the bat have often been overshadowed by his influence on the dressing room.

Stokes and Buttler in particular, fresh from productive stints at the IPL, can have a significant say on the outcome of the South Africa series and the subsequent Champions Trophy.

But if the England line-up can be considered formidable, so must the Proteas’, with three of the top 10 batsmen in the ODI rankings found within de Villiers’ dressing room.

Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, J.P. Duminy and, of course, de Villiers himself, are all superstars in their own right and will relish the chance to stifle the growing excitement and anticipation in the England set-up.

With both sides full of immense batting potential, the series could be decided by which bowling attack comes out on top.

Leg-spinner Adil Rashid, having enjoyed a superb recent run, will hope to rival experienced campaigner Imran Tahir as the stand-out spinner, while fast bowler Mark Wood can ease the injury concerns over his head ahead of the Champions Trophy.

At the age of just 21, Kagiso Rabada is being tipped by many to be the best fast bowler of his generation and the tourists will place much responsibility on his inexperienced shoulders, with the leader of the pack Dale Steyn sidelined through injury.

By his own high standards, de Villiers endured a thoroughly disappointing IPL campaign, only passing 50 once in nine innings for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

But the South Africa skipper remains one of the most entertaining and effective batsman in the world — averaging over 54 in ODIs — and can find his feet on English shores before the summer’s showpiece event.

Imran Tahir enjoyed a superb IPL season, combining with Stokes to help Pune Supergiants qualify for the play-offs before both players returned to national duty ahead of this series.

The Pakistan-born leg-spinner is a prolific wicket-taker and will be a genuine threat despite conditions favouring the pacemen.

Teams (from):

ENGLAND: Jason Roy, Alex Hales, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (captain), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, David Willey, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings, Moeen Ali, Jake Ball.

SOUTH AFRICA: Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, A.B. de Villiers (captain), J.P. Duminy, David Miller, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, Dwaine Pretorius, Farhaan Behardien, Wayne Parnell, Keshav Maharaj.

Umpires: Tim Robinson (England) and Rod Tucker (Australia).

TV umpire: Chris Gaffaney (New Zealand).

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (Zimbabwe).

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2017