England are in need of a major reaction today when they take on South Africa in the second one-day international of the three-match series at Old Trafford.

The post-Eoin Morgan era in ODI cricket has not got off to a good start for the hosts, with Jos Buttler having taken over the reins from his World Cup-winning predecessor.

A 2-1 series loss to India was followed by a 62-run defeat to the Proteas at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday, with England's much-vaunted batting line-up struggling to put big totals on the board. 

An effort of 271 all out chasing 334 to beat South Africa is the highest England have recorded so far this summer in ODI cricket since Morgan stepped down — and they will need to improve on that statistic to avoid another series loss. 

Batting needs to shape up

The most promising aspect of the series-opening reverse to the visitors was seeing the England top three all get among the runs. 

Jason Roy made 43, Jonny Bairstow struck 63, while Joe Root top-scored with a fine 86, but no one else made more than 18 as Matthew Mott's outfit fell well short of their victory target. 

Skipper Buttler has been among those to have struggled to find top form, having made 30, 4, 60 and 12 in his four ODI innings since succeeding Morgan so far this summer, causing some to question whether the added responsibility of captaincy is having an effect. 

His previous two innings saw him smash 86 not out and an unbeaten 162 against an under-strength Netherlands side, while prior to that he had reached double figures just once across six games against India and Australia. 

Further questions will be raised unless Buttler begins to fire in the near future. 

But his overall record suggests he will deliver sooner or later and he will be eager to help his side keep their current series alive with a win.

Stokes leaves a big gap to fill

Of course star all-rounder Ben Stokes bowed out of ODI cricket on Tuesday and his absence leaves the hosts with a big decision to make. 

A selection headache lies in whether to field another all-rounder, or add top-order batter Phil Salt to bolster a line-up that has failed to deliver to their maximum so far this summer.

Explosive right-hander Salt made 122, 77 and 49 against the Dutch earlier this summer and averages 58.66 after six ODI appearances, so he deserves to get the nod to see if he can extend that record over a longer run, firstly against the high-class South African attack. 

Rashid ready to step up

Leg-spinner Adil Rashid was missing for the recent series against India but returned to the fold against the Proteas and not surprisingly looked a little rusty in bowling 10 wicketless overs for 63.

However, having seen Yuzvendra Chahal take 3-60 at Old Trafford as India wrapped up their series, Rashid can have confidence that he can follow the example of his fellow leggie in Manchester.

He has taken 12 wickers in eight previous ODI outings at Old Trafford at a respectable average of 32.83 and will need to make an impact if England are to level the current series. 

Should Reece Topley return, he is another to watch, with the left-arm paceman having taken 6-24 and 3-35 in the final two matches of the India series before sitting out at the Riverside.