England have requested a livelier pitch at Lord's for the third Test against India, hoping to regain control of the series after a crushing 336-run defeat at Edgbaston.
The injury-prone Jofra Archer should be given the all clear for his long-awaited return to Test cricket for England this July.
Jofra Archer has been ruled out England's ODI series against West Indies, that starts later this month, due to a thumb injury sustained with IPL side Rajasthan Royals.
The winner of Friday's clash between South Africa and England will put one foot into the semifinals of the T20 World Cup.
There is a consensus that T20 cricket is a batters' game with records aplenty being broken recently.
England should play the long game with Jofra Archer and prime him for India's visit next year as well as the 2025/26 Ashes, according to former fast bowler Steve Harmison.