It’s a do or die situation for South Africa at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton. Having lost the previous three games, South Africa is on the brink of an early exit in the World Cup.
South Africa has dominated the West Indies in ODIs ever since they made a comeback in International cricket in 1991. A win against West Indies will boost the confidence of the team, but on current form, it doesn’t seem like to happen. The Proteas are awfully out of form in the current World Cup tournament.
Despite playing three matches, none of the players looked in the right touch. Some of them have shown their class in small patches, but that’s not helpful. They are not only having issues on-field but also facing matters off the field. With Dale Steyn out of the World Cup due to a shoulder injury and AB de Villiers controversy have rubbed the salt on their wounds.
West Indies, who lost their previous game Australia, seems to be in better form and position. Their batsman, especially the lower down need to apply some brain when chasing a target. You cannot throw away your wicket after hitting a boundary as Russell did in the last match.
Their bowling reminds us of their great past, accurate and on target always in the two matches. The fielding has let them down a bit in the previous game, which they can work upon. On current form, West Indies should win against South Africa. But cricket is a funny game, and you never know what will happen until the last ball is being bowled.
South Africa’s, biggest enemy in all these World Cup editions, Rain, is predicted for the day. South Africa has been knocked out of World Cup three times due to rain (1992, 2003 and 2015). As per weather forecast, there will be light rain during the day expected, which would mean Duckworth Lewis will be implemented.
Players to watch out for
Faf du Plessis, the captain, must lead from the front now. He can’t blame anyone if he doesn’t perform. He must ensure that the team leaves the controversies and the losses behind and take one match at a time.
Jason Holder, he is doing almost everything right so far for his team. Not only he has scored runs and taken wickets but also the way he led the group has helped the team to win matches and give tough fights to the oppositions. He has a very calm mind on and off the field, an essential quality for any captain who leads his team in the World Cup.
South Africa v West Indies in ODIs
Overall: Matches 61, South Africa Won 44, West Indies Won 15, Tied 1, No Result 1
World Cup: Matches 6, South Africa Won 4, West Indies Won 2
Recent Form (most recent first): South Africa L L L W W, West Indies L W L L W
ICC Rankings: South Africa (3), West Indies (8)
Upcoming Records
Hashim Amla has scored 7,929 runs and needs 71 more to become the fourth South African player to reach the 8,000 runs milestone.
JP Duminy has scored 444 runs in World Cup and needs 56 more to become the ninth South African player to reach the 500 runs milestone in World Cup.
Squads
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, Beuran Hendricks, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Imran Tahir, Rassie van der Dussen.
West Indies – Jason Holder (capt), Fabian Allen, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope (wk), Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Nicholas Pooran, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Oshane Thomas.
