ENG vs SA 3rd ODI Today – Who Will Win the Toss & Match?
Introduction
The England vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025 at The Rose Bowl, Southampton, on September 7, 2025, promises to be an exciting clash. With South Africa already leading the series 2-0, the Proteas have the chance to complete a clean sweep, while England will be desperate to salvage pride and finish the series on a high. The toss played a key role today as South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision influenced by the overcast conditions and a pitch expected to favor seamers early on.
This match is crucial not only for the teams but also for individual players aiming to make an impact ahead of the upcoming global tournaments. Let’s break down the key highlights, team news, player battles, and match predictions.
Toss Update – South Africa Opts to Bowl
South Africa’s skipper Temba Bavuma showed confidence in his bowling attack and chose to bowl first. The decision was backed by conditions in Southampton: a fresh pitch with grass covering and overcast skies promising swing and seam movement.
Reason for bowling first:- Early assistance for pacers.
- Possibility of restricting England’s aggressive batting in the powerplay.
- Rain interruptions predicted, with DLS method likely favoring the chasing side.
Team Line-ups
England Playing XI
- Jonny Bairstow
- Phil Salt
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Jos Buttler (c/wk)
- Liam Livingstone
- Sam Curran
- Jamie Overton
- Reece Topley
- Gus Atkinson
- Adil Rashid
South Africa Playing XI
- Quinton de Kock (wk)
- Reeza Hendricks
- Rassie van der Dussen
- Aiden Markram
- Temba Bavuma (c)
- David Miller
- Marco Jansen
- Gerald Coetzee
- Keshav Maharaj
- Kagiso Rabada
- Codi Yusuf (ODI debut)
Key Talking Points Before the Match
England’s Struggles in the Series
England have looked out of rhythm so far. Their batting collapsed in both ODIs at Headingley and Lord’s. Joe Root and Jos Buttler failed to anchor innings, while young stars like Harry Brook and Phil Salt could not convert starts into big scores.
Bowling has also lacked bite, with Reece Topley being the only consistent performer. The absence of Jofra Archer (rested) has been felt deeply.
South Africa’s Dominance
The Proteas, on the other hand, have been clinical. Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen have piled up runs, while Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen have used English conditions perfectly. Their 2-0 lead reflects their balance and planning.
The inclusion of Codi Yusuf today is also interesting – the young pacer has impressed in domestic cricket, and this debut provides him the platform to shine at the international level.
Players to Watch
England
- Jonny Bairstow – Needs a solid start to put pressure back on South Africa.
- Jos Buttler – Yet to play a captain’s knock in the series, today is his chance.
- Adil Rashid – Can exploit middle overs if England defend a score.
South Africa
- Quinton de Kock – Dangerous when chasing; if he gets going, England will struggle.
- Marco Jansen – Tall left-arm pacer can cause problems with bounce and swing.
- Temba Bavuma – Leading from the front with tactical brilliance and batting consistency.
Pitch and Weather Report
The Rose Bowl, Southampton traditionally supports bowlers early in the match. The new ball offers swing, but it gets better for batting as the match progresses.
- Pitch: Grassy, with bounce for seamers. Spinners may come into play in the middle overs.
- Weather: Overcast with light rain showers predicted. DLS could be a factor, making chasing easier.
Series So Far
- 1st ODI (Headingley, Leeds): South Africa won convincingly with Quinton de Kock scoring a match-winning knock and Rabada destroying England’s top order.
- 2nd ODI (Lord’s, London): England started well but collapsed under pressure as Aiden Markram and David Miller took the game away.
South Africa lead the series 2-0, and today’s clash is about pride for England and domination for the Proteas.
Tactical Battle
- England’s Batting vs South Africa’s Seamers: England’s top order will be tested again. Rabada and Jansen will look to dismiss Bairstow and Root early.
- Spin Middle Overs: Keshav Maharaj vs Buttler and Livingstone could decide the middle phase.
- South Africa’s Chase: England’s new-ball bowlers must dismiss Quinton de Kock quickly to stand a chance.
Expert Predictions
- If England Bat Well Early: A score of 280–300 could be competitive.
- If South Africa Strike Early: England may collapse under 250 again.
- Advantage South Africa: With form, momentum, and conditions, the Proteas are favorites to win and secure a 3-0 clean sweep.
Possible Match-Winning Scenarios
- England’s Hope – A big innings from Jonny Bairstow or Jos Buttler could change the momentum.
- South Africa’s Edge – Rabada’s early strikes combined with de Kock’s quickfire knock could seal the deal early.
- Rain Factor – A shortened match could favor South Africa more as their aggressive batting suits a chase.
Conclusion
The England vs South Africa 3rd ODI 2025 is set for a thrilling contest at The Rose Bowl. With South Africa winning the toss and choosing to bowl, England face the challenge of setting a competitive target under tough conditions.
While England will look to save face with a consolation win, South Africa are motivated to complete a 3-0 clean sweep and send a strong message ahead of future international assignments.
Fans can expect intense battles between bat and ball, star performances from key players, and a match that could go down to the wire—if England’s batting finally clicks
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