South Africa goes into the World Cup without key pacers Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala, who were ruled out of the tournament due to injuries. However, the Temba Bavuma-led side seemed to increase the pace at the right time. Last month, the Proteas defeated Australia 3-2 after trailing 2-0 in a recent ODI series, winning each of their last three matches by more than 100 runs. Proteas will play their World Cup opening match against Sri Lanka at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi and Bavuma is likely to return in time for this match.
Cricket World Cup Fact File on South Africa:
WORLD RANK
4
MATCH SCHEDULE (IST)
October 7: against Sri Lanka in New Delhi (2 p.m.)
October 12: against Australia in Kuknow (2 p.m.)
October 17: v Netherlands in Dharamsala (2 p.m.)
October 21: vs England in Mumbai (2 p.m.)
October 24: v Bangladesh in Mumbai (2pm)
October 27: vs. Pakistan in Chennai (2 p.m.)
November 1: against New Zealand in Pune (2 p.m.)
November 05: vs India in Kolkata (2:00 PM)
November 10: against Afghanistan in Ahmedabad (2 p.m.)
TEAM
Temba Bavuma (captain), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams .
LEADING RUN SCORER IN SQUAD
Quinton de Kock: 6,176 runs; highest score 178; average 44.75; Hundreds 17; Fifties 30s
LEADING WICKET TAKER IN SQUAD
Kagiso Rabada: 144 wickets; best bowling 6-16; average 27.75
PREVIOUS WORLD CUP OPENINGS
1975: Banned from international cricket
1979: Banned from international cricket
1983: Banned from international cricket
1987: Banned from international cricket
1992: Semi-finals
1996: Quarter-finals
1999: Semi-finals
2003: Group stage
2007: Semi-finals
2011: Quarter-finals
2015: Semi-finals
2019: Group stage
WHAT THE CAPTAIN SAYS
“The confidence we have gained from this series is something we cannot lose. I spoke to the bowlers and they said this was the best preparation we can have, bowling in pressure situations.”
Temba Bavuma after his team defeated Australia 3-2
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