Broad back as England seek ODI series win

Omnisports

February 11, 2016 3:35 AM

South Africa's win in the third ODI on Tuesday has set up a crucial contest in Johannesburg with England looking to clinch the series.

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Stuart Broad is set to make his first one-day international appearance for England since last year's Cricket World Cup when they attempt to wrap up the series against South Africa at the second attempt in Johannesburg.

The seam bowler, who was omitted from England's 15-man squad for the upcoming World Twenty20 on Wednesday, was added to the ODI party following injuries to Steven Finn and Liam Plunkett.

Broad - who has 119 ODI caps - has not featured for England in the 50-over format since last March when they beat Afghanistan in a dead-rubber World Cup pool match having already been eliminated following a poor tournament.

Head coach Trevor Bayliss is hoping Broad's experience will come in handy as England look to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match rubber at the Wanderers – the same stadium where he took a sensational 6-17 as the tourists claimed victory in the Test series.

"I think it is always on the cards for him to play some cricket on this tour, once he got selected," Bayliss said.

"He has got that experience, and it will be good to have it - especially at the Wanderers, where he had that success in the Test."

Having won the first two matches, England missed the chance to win the series as South Africa set up a crucial fourth contest with a dominant seven-wicket win on Tuesday.

Quinton de Kock (135) and Hashim Amla (127) set the foundation for victory with a 239-run opening stand in their successful chase of 319 - Joe Root's century proving in vain for England.

As well as attempting to level the series, South Africa are looking to protect a proud record in Friday's contest.

The Proteas will be donning a pink strip for the fourth year running in support of breast cancer charities. The previous three times saw South Africa triumph and AB de Villiers was in pink when he made a record 100 off 31 balls against West Indies in Johannesburg in January 2015, the fastest ODI century.

And seamer Kyle Abbott believes South Africa's win in match three will crank up the pressure on the tourists.

"We have got a good record here, not only in pink, but in ODIs at the Wanderers," he said.

"It doesn't happen in one or two overs and I hope we can keep up our record and put a bit more pressure on in this series, which I think is building more on them than us at the moment."

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