England have responded to the embarrassing defeat against Ireland by dropping Paul Collingwood, their most experienced one-day player, and recalling Ravi Bopara to the middle order. Despite failing to defend 327 four days ago, Andrew Strauss has again decided to bat after winning toss on a very hot day in Chennai.
Collingwood's axing - his second in less than two months after he was dropped in Australia - is significant because he'd been earmarked to play a key role in this tournament although Strauss said there were also fitness concerns involved. However, after a promising 30 against Netherlands, Collingwood was unconvincing against India and Ireland, while his bowling hasn't proved as effective as had been hoped.
Bopara played in the opening match against Netherlands and helped seal the tough run chase. The management will be hoping he can bring some six-hitting strength to the middle order, which has lacked punch so far and not been able to back up the productive work of the top four. He should also bowl some of Collingwood's overs, but Strauss is often reluctant to use him.
That is the only change for England, which means the struggling bowling attack is given a chance to turn their performances around. James Anderson is under severe pressure after three poor matches, but Stuart Broad was also very disappointing against Ireland.
South Africa have far fewer concerns and have named the same team which thrashed Netherlands. Morne van Wyk keeps his place in the middle order and is again set to take the gloves ahead of AB de Villiers who has a slight back strain, although with back-to-back hundreds in the tournament there is certainly no problem with de Villiers' form.
Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel form a formidable pace attack but most of the interest will surround Imran Tahir, the legspinner, who has made an immediate impact. His time in county cricket means he won't be a complete unknown quantity for the England batsman, but knowing what is coming down and playing it can prove two very different things.
England: 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Kevin Pietersen, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Ian Bell, 5 Ravi Bopara, 6 Matt Prior (wk), 7 Michael Yardy, 8 Tim Bresnan, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 Graeme Swann, 11 James Anderson
South Africa 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Hashim Amla, 3 Jacques Kallis, 4 AB de Villiers, 5 JP Duminy, 6 Francois du Plessis, 7 Morne van Wyk (wk), 8 Robin Petersen, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Imran Tahir
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