South Africa Masters vs England Masters, IMLT, Today Match Prediction

SAM vs ENGM Match Prediction & Analysis

Although we are now seven games into a very exciting 2025 International Masters League which has captured the interest and imagination of cricket fans across the globe. However, for the two teams involved in this fixture, South Africa Masters and England Masters, the tournament has not been all that enjoyable with both sides losing each of their opening two games!

South Africa Masters have batted first both times and not been able to post a total to give their bowlers a chance of defending. For England Masters, they have lost from batting first and bowling first, with their last defeat only by eight runs.

The truth is that confidence levels will be low in both dressing rooms but a victory in this match will see one team move up the table and potentially give them a boost which will see them use for the rest of the tournament.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

SAM

L L

INDM

89/2 in 11.0 8.09

IMLT

India Masters won by 8 wickets 01 Mar 2025

SAM

85/10 in 13.5 6.14

SAM

180/6 in 20.0 9

IMLT

Sri Lanka Masters beat South Africa Masters by 7 wickets 26 Feb 2025

SLM

183/3 in 17.2 10.56

ENGM

L L

WIM

179/6 in 20.0 8.95

IMLT

West Indies Masters beat England Masters by 8 runs 27 Feb 2025

ENGM

171/8 in 20.0 8.55

INDM

133/1 in 11.4 11.4

IMLT

India Masters beat England Masters by 9 wickets 25 Feb 2025

ENGM

132/8 in 20.0 6.6

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

South Africa Masters Preview

After losing to Sri Lanka Masters in their opening game, it was another fixture to forget for South Africa Masters on Saturday as they were bowled out inside 14 overs on their way to a heavy defeat by India Masters.

For any team to be dismissed for 85, one needs a large number to fail to contribute and that was certainly the case as captain Jacques Kallis, Jacques Rudolph, Vernon Philander and Garnett Kruger all made ducks in the defeat.

Particularly Kallis and Rudolph will be required to step up and make decent scores this time around. 

With the ball, there was a wicket apiece for Thandi Tshabalala and Eddie Leie, and the former will be keen to continue his form in this game alongside the consistent Philander.

South Africa Masters Predicted Playing XI:

Henry Davids, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis (c), Jacques Rudolph, Farhaan Behardien, Dane Vilas (wk), Vernon Philander, Garnett Kruger, Thandi Tshabalala, Makhaya Ntini, Eddie Leie

South Africa Masters Actual Playing XI:

Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Henry Davids, Jonty Rhodes, Farhaan Behardien, Thandi Tshabalala, Jacques Kallis, Vernon Philander, Dane Vilas, Garnett Kruger, Makhaya Ntini

England Masters Preview

Plenty of pundits pointed at England's batting line-up in their opening game defeat to India Masters and described it as not strong enough with former bowling all-rounder Tim Bresnan seemingly way too high at number five in the order.

In the defeat against West Indies Masters, Bresnan had dropped down a place to number six to accommodate the arrival of Ian Bell at the top of the order but even that still seems too high for the Yorkshireman!

England Masters need skipper Eoin Morgan and Ian Bell to make big scores and may well look to the spinning pair of Monty Panesar with Chris Schofield who between them took five of the six wickets against West Indies Masters.

England Masters Predicted Playing XI:

Phil Mustard (wk), Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan (c), Tim Ambrose, Darren Maddy, Tim Bresnan, Chris Schofield, Chris Tremlett, Stuart Meaker, Monty Panesar, Ryan Sidebottom

England Masters Actual Playing XI:

Darren Maddy, Eoin Morgan, Ian Bell, Tim Bresnan, Phil Mustard, Tim Ambrose, Chris Tremlett, Monty Panesar, Chris Schofield, Stuart Meaker, Ryan Sidebottom

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It is going to be another hot day in Vadodara with the temperature in the early 30s before dipping to 27 degrees by the end of this evening match. No rain is forecast at all.

SAM vs ENGM Pitch Report

Although South Africa Masters were blown away by India Masters' bowlers in the last game here, this is a good batting pitch and a par score is in the region of 200 - 210.

Toss: To Bowl

With the teams chasing winning the first two games in Vadodara, this is likely to be an easy decision at the toss for both captains who we expect to want to bowl first.