ICC Champions Trophy 2013 semi-finals: 5 things to look out for when South Africa meet England

Robin Petersen is congratulated by AB de Villiers after bowling Devon Smith during the ICC Champions Trophy Group B match between West Indies and South Africa at SWALEC Stadium on June 14, 2013 in Cardiff, Wales. (Getty Images)

The Champions Trophy is now at its business end. There are no second-chances and no complications of net-run rate. It is a plain and simple equation: the team that plays the better cricket will move a step closer to the coveted prize.

South Africa made their own fortune in their last rain-affected group game against the West Indies and they have made a promising recovery after the initial loss to India. Their batsmen have helped them along and their bowling is regaining its bite with the return of Dale Steyn. England on the other hand topped their group in spite of losing to Sri Lanka.

The two teams have a brief but intriguing history at the competition. South Africa defeated England twice in the knockout version of the tournament that was played in 1998 and 2000. England found some revenge in the last edition when they defeated the Proteas in a high scoring affair.

Therefore, South Africa goes into the battle with the upper hand in this aspect but England will have the chance to settle the score. However history is unlikely to stand for anything on the day when the two teams lock horns for a position in the finals. Here is a list of five things to look out for in this mouth-watering contest.

5. Captain De Villiers

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. AB De Villiers has taken on the mantle from the senior statesmen of South African cricket and will be eager to lead from the front. The wicketkeeper has been on the verge of a big innings and will hope that it comes off against England.

South Africa have found an individual who has found the big innings to take the team to a reasonable score in this competition; first it was Hashim Amla and then Colin Ingram. It will be AB De Villiers turn come Wednesday.

4. England’s spin attack

The South Africans are not the most comfortable outfit against quality spin bowling. India shackled their batting in the middle overs with R. Jadeja and R. Ashwin. James Tredwell will have a job on his hands in the absence of Graeme Swann.

The injury to Swann is perhaps a blessing in disguise as Tredwell looked the better spinner in the last few encounters. Swann was taken apart by Nuwan Kulasekara in England’s loss to Sri Lanka. An economical spell with a couple of wickets might be enough to make that significant contribution that tilts the balance of the game.

3. Steyn gun

Dale Steyn has made a return to the South African team after missing out on the first two games. His absence was clearly affecting the bowling performance of the side as India scored over three hundred runs without any difficulty. The likes of Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Ryan Mclaren are more effective when he is spearheading the attack, while Chris Morris has been superb ever since he was handed out his debut against Pakistan.

Steyn made an immediate impact against the West Indies breaking the back of their batting order with two crucial wickets. He will have to live up to his reputation on the day against the combative English batting order.

2. The English pace battery

The face-off between James Anderson and Dale Steyn might help us deconstruct the big debate about who the best bowler in international cricket is. Anderson has been terrific in this competition for his side performing the role up front with his swing, getting early wickets as well as bowling in the death with a relatively good economy rate.

He has got shaky support from Stuart Broad but Tim Bresnan has lived up to the expectations. Anderson has bagged 8 wickets in 3 games and that is a testament to the match-winning role he has in this team.

James Anderson (C) celebrates taking the wicket of Martin Guptill during the ICC Champions Trophy Group A match between England and New Zealand at the SWALEC Stadium on June 16, 2013 in Cardiff, Wales. (Getty Images)

1. English batting

This has been the most consistent fixture in the English side in the past few months. The English top four is traditional and reserved in its approach but they ensure that they put up a total. Alastair Cook lead from the front in their last crucial game, Jonathan Trott has been among the runs and Ian Bell’s new avatar as opener has rejuvenated his flagging career.

They have added that additional muscle to their batting line up with Ravi Bopara’s cameos at the end of the innings. Eoin Morgan and Jos Butler form an explosive lower order. They will face their biggest test of the competition in the semi-finals against the South African bowling line-up.