Both England and Proteas will arrive at the Oval under pressure to win the opening match of the World Cup on Thursday, writes JON CARDINELLI.
The waiting is over. The World Cup will commence at the Oval on Thursday, and the favourites as well as the self-styled dark horses will show the cricket community what they can do on the big stage.
TEAM NEWS
The Proteas played some encouraging cricket in the practice games against Sri Lanka and West Indies. Hashim Amla, the aging genius, as well as skipper Faf du Plessis found some form with the bat. Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi shrugged off their injury concerns to adjust to the local conditions and make a telling impact with the ball.
The big news, however, is that Dale Steyn hasn’t recovered from a shoulder injury and won’t be available for the match against England. As a result, Rabada will lead South Africa’s bowling charge against a star-studded England batting lineup.
CONDITIONS
With overcast conditions expected at the Oval, the Proteas brains trust may well opt for an extra seamer. It wouldn’t surprise to see Chris Morris included alongside Rabada, Ngidi, and Andile Phehlukwayo.
Alternatively, Ottis Gibson may go for Dwaine Pretorius ahead of Morris. Pretorius’s ability to take the pace off the ball – and frustrate the England batsmen – could be important in the middle overs.
Will the Proteas need two spinners in a clash of this nature? JP Duminy and Imran Tahir should provide skipper Faf du Plessis with a couple of options. Duminy’s experience with the bat may also be viewed as a plus when the powers that be debate selection.
England may well go this route with Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, but should still rely on a host of quicks such as Jofra Archer and Mark Wood up front.
GOLIATH: Amla can anchor Proteas batting
TALKING POINTS
The Proteas batsmen will have a point to prove. It’s been awhile since Amla delivered in a ODI – and indeed at a tournament – that mattered. Fellow opener Quinton de Kock struggled at the last World Cup.
It will be interesting to see what Du Plessis does if he wins the toss. Will he go on the attack from the outset, despite the absence of key man in Steyn?
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Steyn’s injury leaves the bowling contingent light on experience given that none of the other seamers have played in a World Cup game before. A lot will be riding on Rabada’s performance.
Despite his age, Rabada has displayed an appetite for such high-stakes contests in recent years. The Proteas will need him to make one or two early breakthroughs and ultimately stall England’s charge this Thursday.
Regardless of conditions, one would expect the team that wins the toss to bat first. England will want to post a big score and then ask a largely inexperienced Proteas side to chase.
South Africa may be mindful of their dearth of bowling experience, and may feel that their best shot at a win is via a strong batting performance first up. And at the top of the Proteas order, Amla’s contribution may be game-shaping.
LEMKE: Why Thursday matters so much
Victory for England will underline their No 1 status in the 50-over format and strengthen their claim to the tag of tournament favourites. A win for South Africa, however, will say something about the Proteas’ own claim to the title.
Any success against the top-ranked side on their own turf will boost the Proteas’ confidence and – whisper it softly – begin to challenge the belief that the South Africans don’t have the mettle to win big tournaments.
Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images
