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South Africa announce squad for 2019 World Cup

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">South Africa's World Cup squad <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWC19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CWC19</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/hGtIeMLubY">pic.twitter.com/hGtIeMLubY</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1118836932702801920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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FAF DU PLESSIS will lead a Standard Bank Proteas squad that contains a good mix of players with proven World Cup experience and a new generation of exciting talent at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup to be played in England and Wales later this year.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) named their 15-man squad in a live broadcast at the SuperSport Headquarters in Randburg today.

Five of the players – Du Plessis himself, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir and Dale Steyn – made their World Cup debuts at the tournament on the sub-continent in 2011 and are thus playing in their third World Cup.

Quinton de Kock and David Miller made their debuts in the 2015 tournament in Australasia and will be going to the World Cup for the second time.

“We are very happy with the squad we have been able to put together and have every confidence in their ability to do our country proud at the World Cup,” commented CSA National Selection Panel (NSP) convener Linda Zondi.

“The fact that we have managed to win our last five series in a row in this format against Zimbabwe, Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka twice underlines the quality of the team that Faf will lead into the contest. The final selection is also the result of a very rigorous search we have conducted, leaving no stone unturned, to make sure that we have made the best use of the options available to us.

“We feel that Faf’s team is well equipped to handle whatever conditions are presented to them, bearing in mind the weather extremes one can encounter in the British Isles.

“We have also been highly encouraged by the form shown by those of our players who are currently in action in the Indian Premier League and there is no doubt that there is a great sense of anticipation and determination among our players.

“As is well known you need a good squad of 15 players to come out on top with the demanding fixtures list ahead of us rather than just a first XI and I have been particularly encouraged by the depth of talent that has revealed itself to us during the selection process.

“I am also very happy to announce that two of our fast bowlers currently on the injured list, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje, are well on the way to recovery and we expect them to be ready for our pre-tournament camp next month,” concluded Mr. Zondi.

CSA Chief Executive Thabang Moroe commented: “Congratulations to the National Selection Panel on the work they have done to put a squad together that I am sure will meet with approval from all quarters and will represent us well, and to the players on their well-deserved selection.”

CSA President Chris Nenzani commented: On behalf of the CSA Family and indeed of the entire nation I wish our Proteas everything of the best for the World Cup. I am sure you will all make us proud.”

Along with the squad announcement, CSA also launched #ItsMoreThanCricket, a drive that is aimed to show the country a different side to the Proteas. It will highlight the continuous work the Proteas do as a team to understand one another better, so that they can change for the better. This is a strong fundamental of their dominant team culture.

Like South Africa, the team’s diversity is its strength, when South Africans work together it’s an advantage over the rest of the world. The Proteas are one of the most diverse sports teams in the world and their record over the years proves just how their diversity has been their strength.

Standard Bank Proteas ICC Men’s World Cup squad: Faf du Plessis (Multiply Titans, capt), Hashim Amla (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Quinton de Kock (Multiply Titans), JP Duminy (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Imran Tahir (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Multiply Titans), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Multiply Titans), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Dwaine Pretorius (bizhub Highveld Lions), Kagiso Rabada (bizhub Highveld Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Multiply Titans), Dale Steyn (Multiply Titans), Rassie van der Dussen (bizhub Highveld Lions).
 
JP,Amla,Styen ,and Tahir are on their last legs and a couple of them have form issues. South Africa is taking all 4 to the WC!!

Not a bad squad to be honest. A strong bowling line up , batting isn't as strong without AB. They have a good record in bilateral so don't understand why they are being written off completely .
 
Shocked that Chris Morris hasn't been selected. He is a very good death bowler and also a good late order hitter.
 
It's okay but for the first time since readmission, South Africa don't look like favourites.
 
The problem is Pakistan did not invest in the right ODI spinner for a long time.

We have the darts of Imad which are meant to control the RR in T20 but are meaningless if he wants to change the match.

Shadab is a better fielder than a bowler or batsmen at the moment.

And the less said about Yasir, the better.

Hafeez with his modified non chuck action is as likely to pick up a wicket as Haris Sohail.

Malik hardly bowls and when he does they are pies.

If these are the options going into the World Cup, I really dont care who gets picked cux all of them dont spin the ball bar Yasir who spins it but cant pitch it on the right spot.

With such a conundrum and a dry English summer, I see it being a very tough summer for Pakistan and I can almost predict the legacy of Sarfraz being shattered to pieces, unless something drastically miraculous happens.
 
Hasan123 said:
Yet you think not selecting a specialist spinner is a good call. :))
Click to expand...

No, I believe that Shadab is a specialist spinner and Imad offers more than any other spinner in Pakistan. Get your facts straight.
 
Markram can bat in the middle as well as he can open the innings so good selection considering SA is only going with 6 specialist batsmen and if need arises Markram can come in for any position in top 4.
 
Dr_Bassim said:
The problem is Pakistan did not invest in the right ODI spinner for a long time.

We have the darts of Imad which are meant to control the RR in T20 but are meaningless if he wants to change the match.

Shadab is a better fielder than a bowler or batsmen at the moment.

And the less said about Yasir, the better.

Hafeez with his modified non chuck action is as likely to pick up a wicket as Haris Sohail.

Malik hardly bowls and when he does they are pies.

If these are the options going into the World Cup, I really dont care who gets picked cux all of them dont spin the ball bar Yasir who spins it but cant pitch it on the right spot.

With such a conundrum and a dry English summer, I see it being a very tough summer for Pakistan and I can almost predict the legacy of Sarfraz being shattered to pieces, unless something drastically miraculous happens.
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I think Shadab is underated as a bowler by quite a lot here. After 34 matches he has got 47 wickets at @ 27 with economy of 4.80. Yes he hasnt single handedly won matches as of yet but then he is just 20 and is still learning his craft.

His fileding is a big plus and his bit of batting is a bonus, he has got 3 50s though which is 1 less than highly rated Pandya and he avgerages the same. Yes his SR and strike rotation needs to be improved but the again he is young experience wise as well as age wise.
 
Bilal7 said:
Performances like the 2017 CT?
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What about the Asia Cup and NZ series? CT was a few games. Not selecting a specialist spinner will cost Pakistan.

Why is every team selecting 2 specialist spinners ? I'm guessing you have superior knowledge to them all :)))
 
Hasan123 said:
What about the Asia Cup and NZ series? CT was a few games. Not selecting a specialist spinner will cost Pakistan.

Why is every team selecting 2 specialist spinners ? I'm guessing you have superior knowledge to them all :)))
Click to expand...

The CT was in England and the WC will be in England. Is that not more relevant than what happened in the Asia Cup, which was shorter than the CT, mind you. Also, you seem to run around in circles a lot. Did I not just explain that I consider Shadab a specialist spinner? Keep up with the discussion if you do not want to come off as slow.
 
Bilal7 said:
The CT was in England and the WC will be in England. Is that not more relevant than what happened in the Asia Cup, which was shorter than the CT, mind you. Also, you seem to run around in circles a lot. Did I not just explain that I consider Shadab a specialist spinner? Keep up with the discussion if you do not want to come off as slow.
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Imad and Shadab weren't as instrumental as Fakhar and Hasan Ali in our win.

Shadab isn't a specialist spinner in my opinion. His bowling has regressed since the CT.
 
Hasan123 said:
Imad and Shadab weren't as instrumental as Fakhar and Hasan Ali in our win.

Shadab isn't a specialist spinner in my opinion. His bowling has regressed since the CT.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, we do not have a Saeed Ajmal waiting in the wings and our bowling strength is now dependent on the pace bowlers, not the spinners. Shadab and Imad did a good job during the CT and they can do a similarly good job during the WC. They both have economy rates under 4.9 and Shadab has a good average to boot. The next best spinners in the domestic circuit seem to be Shah, Nawaz and the very green, Umer Khan. Many of the young spinners who were doing well a couple of years ago have faded away.
 
Bilal7 said:
No, I believe that Shadab is a specialist spinner and Imad offers more than any other spinner in Pakistan. Get your facts straight.
Click to expand...

But how can Imad offer anything as a spinner when he doesn't even spin the ball?
 
Why morris is not selected ?
He is their best player under pressure along with dussen.
Pretorius is decent utility player but overall he is just an inferior version of morris.
 
very good squad.They can surprise everyone this time around.I hope they win the world cup.My favourite team at the moment.Wish them the luck.
 
South Africa could win World Cup with “a bit of luck” – Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn has talked up South Africa’s chances of winning the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, saying “we have some fantastic players”.

South Africa are set to announce their squad of 15 for the tournament on Thursday, 18 April. Steyn, speaking in Kolkata ahead of his first IPL 2019 match for Royal Challengers Bangalore, said the form of the likes of Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis and Kagiso Rabada gave them a big reason to be confident in England and Wales.

In fact, with a little bit of luck, Steyn said South Africa could win the tournament. “We're led by Faf, whose been in fantastic form late,” he said. “And in the IPL, Imran Tahir has been right up there in terms of wickets.

“From Quinton de Kock all the way down to No. 11, they're all match-winners. We just need to go there and hope a bit of luck – weather, a missed no-ball – goes your way, and you could win the tournament.

“You look at KG [Rabada], he's been bowling exceptionally well. Kagiso is a wunderkind. Just hope he continues that kind of form. He's come on to the scene in international cricket and grabbed the opportunity with both hands. We've seen players come in, show signs of extreme excellence and then fade away, but KG is someone we can get used to."

Steyn said “no one gives us a chance” but knows the key is to go in expecting to win. “I don't think South Africa have lost an ODI series in two-and-a-half years [they've won 11 of their last 13 ODI series] but no one gives us a chance and then somebody does,” he said.

“We're going with good expectations. If you're not going to the World Cup expecting to win, then you probably shouldn't go. But I'm not going to lie, we have some fantastic players.”

Asked to pick a side apart from South Africa that could win the tournament, Steyn said “every team” had a chance, and that rankings wouldn’t matter once the tournament begins.

“You just need to go there, figure out which teams are best adapting (to) the conditions and then the team that hits the ground running first has the best chance," he said. "I think every team going to the World Cup has a massive chance. England are playing in England, and they're playing some good white-ball cricket.

"But I think you really need to take rankings and throw it out of the window. I don't even know what ranking West Indies have, and they just beat England. Australia were losing, and then they've started winning again.”

South Africa face England in the tournament-opener at The Oval on 30 May.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1185795
 
They've selected the best 15 possible. I don't think their best is enough to win a world cup though.
 
Good squad from the available players. There was never a doubt that eventually Hashim will be selected quite simply because of lack of competition.

Only change I would have thought about will be Chris Morris over Pretorius, otherwise a good squad.
 
Easily the best bowling attack right now in world cricket.
 
Dr_Bassim said:
The problem is Pakistan did not invest in the right ODI spinner for a long time.

We have the darts of Imad which are meant to control the RR in T20 but are meaningless if he wants to change the match.

Shadab is a better fielder than a bowler or batsmen at the moment.

And the less said about Yasir, the better.

Hafeez with his modified non chuck action is as likely to pick up a wicket as Haris Sohail.

Malik hardly bowls and when he does they are pies.

If these are the options going into the World Cup, I really dont care who gets picked cux all of them dont spin the ball bar Yasir who spins it but cant pitch it on the right spot.

With such a conundrum and a dry English summer, I see it being a very tough summer for Pakistan and I can almost predict the legacy of Sarfraz being shattered to pieces, unless something drastically miraculous happens.
Click to expand...

Slightly negative view but very solid points.

Imad Wasim is a massive waste in Odis and "starboy" has had what I call the IPL effect where he is more interested in being a hero than his game....plus his so called batting has clearly distracted him from his bowling.

Whats more tragic is we have 2 world class spinners in asghar and zafar gohar warming PSL benches..
 
Would have definitely had Chris Morris in place of Andile Phehlukwayo.
 
This is a decent squad. They need Amla to be in form. Their batting is little weak.
 
Rabada's back niggle adds to South Africa's injury

Kagiso Rabada is the latest fast bowler to join South Africa's long line of injury concerns ahead of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019.

Rabada, who is expected to lead their bowling attack, missed a game for his Indian Premier League franchise on Wednesday, 1 May, with what reports described as a back niggle.

The Delhi Capitals team said they rested him as a "precautionary measure" for their game against Chennai Super Kings, and added that they were monitoring his situation.

The young fast bowler has been the leading wicket-taker at this year's IPL, taking 25 wickets in 12 games at an average of 14.72. He has been especially effective at the death, and earlier in the season pulled off a Super Over win for his side, nailing his yorkers.

Cricket South Africa are reportedly keeping a watchful eye on his recovery, what with the World Cup in England and Wales less than a month away. There is already a cloud over the veteran Dale Steyn, whose IPL was cut short after just two games when his shoulder flared up.

Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje, the other members of their fast-bowling attack, had earlier been forced to withdraw from the IPL: while Ngidi was recovering from a side strain, Nortje had strained his shoulder. Ngidi, in fact, had faced a long spell on the sidelines even before that because of a troublesome hamstring.

Faf du Plessis' team begin their World Cup campaign on 30 May against hosts England at The Oval.

https://www.cricketworldcup.com/news/1205859
 
Cape Town - The Proteas have yet another Cricket World Cup injury concern in the form of ace fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who has a back strain.

Sport24 understands that the 23-year-old, who is the leading wicket-taker in this year's IPL, is out of that tournament and on his way back to South Africa for further evaluation.

He is expected back in the country on Friday.

Rabada missed the Delhi Capitals' clash against the Chennai Super Kings on Wednesday after he reportedly raised concerns of discomfort.

It was initially deemed to be a precautionary move, but Rabada was sent for scans on Thursday and the decision was then taken to bring him back to South Africa.

It is the latest in a string of injuries that are threatening to dent South Africa's fast bowling charge at the World Cup.

It is the department that the Proteas have prioritised most ahead of the tournament, but the reality is that none of their four premier quicks are at 100% fitness currently.

Dale Steyn is still a major concern with a shoulder injury he also suffered while on IPL duty while Lungi Ngidi (side strain) and Anrich Nortje (shoulder) have only just started bowling at full tilt again and are also in search of full fitness before the May 30 World Cup opener against England at The Oval.

https://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/P...om-ipl-as-cwc-bowling-crisis-deepens-20190503
 
Media Advisory: Rabada recalled from IPL due to back injury

Friday, 03 May 2019

Standard Bank Proteas fast bowler, Kagiso Rabada, has been recalled from the Indian Premier League (IPL) after experiencing stiffness in his lower back. Rabada has a history of back injuries – he sustained a stress fracture last year – and will return back to South Africa for further medical assessment and treatment.

Proteas team manager, Dr Mohammed Moosajee, says Rabada’s recall is precautionary based on his history: “Kagiso experienced stiffness in his lower back a few days ago and was taken for scans for further investigation. The scan results, combined with further assessment by our physiotherapist Craig Govender who is fortunately in Delhi, led the CSA medical committee to the decision to withdraw him from the remainder of the IPL. Kagiso has a history with back injuries and the CSA medical team is taking the best measures to ensure he is fully fit for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup starting this month. He will consult with a back specialist upon his return and proceed with a treatment and rehab programme.”

Rabada is the leading wicket-taker of the IPL with 25 scalps in 12 matches and is followed by Imran Tahir in second place with 21 wickets in 13 matches.
 
Standard Bank Proteas fast bowler, Anrich Nortje, has been ruled out of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup due to a hand injury. Nortje fractured his right thumb while practising in the nets, and will need six to eight weeks to make a full recovery.

Proteas team manager, Dr Mohammed Moosajee, lamented the unfortunate nature of the injury. “Anrich sustained a fracture to his right thumb during a net session in Port Elizabeth on Monday. He immediately consulted a hand surgeon and underwent surgery to stabilise the joint and will unfortunately be side-lined for up to eight weeks. This makes him unavailable for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

“It is an unfortunate and freakish injury, especially because he had made a successful recovery from the shoulder injury he sustained during the series against Sri Lanka. He has had a few injury setbacks in the last year but knowing Anrich’s character, he will be motivated to come back stronger. We wish him a speedy recovery.”

All-rounder, Chris Morris, has been named to replace Nortje in the squad. The 32-year-old Morris last played an ODI for South Africa in February 2018, but brings with him an ‘X-factor’ appeal as well as depth with the bat.

Commenting on the decision, Cricket South Africa (CSA) National Selection Panel convener, Linda Zondi said: “Chris has always been in our plans and is our next best option with the ball,” he explained. “He has the pace and death-bowling skills which will be vital in the UK, and also gives us that depth as a deadly finisher with the bat. We have had concerns around his injuries and workload capabilities but this is an opportunity for him to make a mark on the biggest stage. Admittedly, the injuries ahead of the tournament have been frustrating but I continue to have confidence that the players we have selected will make the country proud.

“It is unfortunate what has happened to Anrich, he is a talented player with exciting potential. We wish him well on his road to recovery and have no doubt that he will bounce back to fulfil his potential,” he concluded.
 
South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada is in a fight for fitness as the Proteas seek to avoid an injury crisis before this summer's ICC Cricket World Cup in England & Wales.

Fellow quick Anrich Nortje was forced to withdraw from the squad on 7 May after a thumb fracture ruled him out of the tournament, and Rabada's back injury prompted him to leave the Indian Premier League (IPL) prematurely, but updates from South Africa's team doctor Mohammad Moosajee, and Rabada himself, are largely positive. Moosajee spoke of the attentiveness with which their star bowler was being handled. "With KG‚ we are extra cautious because of two reasons‚" he said.

"He had a back issue that kept him out of the game for a protracted amount of time. Secondly‚ there’s his importance in the squad‚ so we’re managing his rehab and his return to play very carefully."

Rabada had a lumber muscle strain with associated muscle spasms, but thankfully no surgery was required. Moosajee backed him to be available for South Africa's first game against hosts England on 30 May, but outlined their careful approach. "We are confident, but we want to give him as much time to recover as possible," he said.

"The anticipated recovery period for KG’s injury is two to three weeks and we are hopeful he’ll make a full recovery to be part of the World Cup squad. The selectors have ensured they have enough options on the table but there are some players that have been earmarked as standby players."

Rabada, who was leading wicket-taker in the league stage of the 2019 IPL - despite playing fewer games than his arrivals due to the injury - posted an update on his Instagram, describing his return from the IPL as 'precautionary'. "Ipl was really fun! Extremely glad for the opportunity!" he posted.

"Sad to leave but good to be home! Bittersweet. Regarding my back, I’m good - precautionary is all. Will be supporting the boys all the way!"

Moosajee also offered an update on Dale Steyn's fitness. "Dale Steyn returned from the IPL due to his right shoulder flaring up," he said. "He consulted with an orthopaedic shoulder specialist in Cape Town. He has responded well to treatment and is showing signs of improvement.

"Scans done revealed nothing of significance compared to those done post his previous surgery. He is currently doing rehab and training, and following a very specific and progressive return-to-play programme. He will be reassessed when we reassemble this weekend for the Cricket World Cup camp."

https://www.cricketworldcup.com/news/1212247
 
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Cape Town - The Proteas have full faith that under-pressure batsman Hashim Amla will be fit, both mentally and physically, for the World Cup in England.

The tournament gets underway on May 30 when the Proteas play the hosts at The Oval, and Amla has until then to find the touch that has made him one of the most feared batsman in modern cricket.

It has been a tough couple of months for the 36-year-old, who has lost his form with the bat while he has also had to deal with his father being critically ill.

Team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee, however, believes that Amla will be in the right frame of mind by the time the World Cup begins.

"I have been in constant communication with Hash and I must say that he is doing quite well," said Moosajee.

"He has been training a lot with (Proteas batting coach) Dale Benkenstein and spending an enormous amount of time in the nets.

"Mentally, it has been a struggle for him in his personal life. Knowing Hash, he has an ability to put that aside and focus on cricket.

"I'm confident that he will be fine."

The Proteas will meet for a three-day camp in Cape Town starting on Sunday before heading to Pretoria where they will base themselves at the High Performance Centre for the rest of the week.

South Africa's 2019 Cricket World Cup squad:

Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Rassie van der Dussen

https://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/Proteas/proteas-express-confidence-in-amla-for-world-cup-20190507
 
'They're going to both make full recoveries' - Gibson on Rabada, Steyn's availability for CWC19

South Africa coach Ottis Gibson has said that the injured fast-bowling duo of Kagiso Rabada and Dale Steyn should recover in time for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019.

Rabada has been a consistent performer across formats for South Africa, and was the second-highest wicket-taker in the recently-concluded Indian Premier League, despite having his stint cut short by a stiff back. Steyn's, meanwhile, continued to be plagued by a troublesome shoulder, and flew back to South Africa after playing just two games.

"We feel that those guys are on track," Gibson said. "There's nothing that people should be alarmed about. They're going to both make full recoveries and be able to take their place at the World Cup."

Just over two weeks remain before South Africa begin their campaign, in the tournament opener. Their opponents - the hosts England - meanwhile look set to include Barbados-born all-rounder Jofra Archer in their squad for the event. Archer followed his success in the IPL with an impressive bowling performance in just his second ODI - a rain-affected match against Pakistan at The Oval. Gibson expressed full confidence that the promising youngster would make the final cut.

"Jofra Archer will add some spice to their attack, and I can't see how they are not going to pick him, to be honest. He is a guy from my home of Barbados, so I would be very happy to see him putting on an England shirt and playing in the World Cup."

Talking about South Africa's prospects in the World Cup, Gibson said that a lot would depend on the England weather. South Africa have progressed to the semi-finals on four occasions in the marquee event, but have never made the final. In two of those semi-finals, in 1992, and in the last edition, in 2015, they finished on the wrong side of the result after rain interrupted proceedings.

Having previously served the England team in a coaching capacity, Gibson brings vast experience of these conditions to the table. “England can be interesting," Gibson said. "England lends itself to high-scoring games. The weather will play a part in that. I believe the conditions will play a huge part in the outcome of the World Cup. They are forecasting a hot spell coming up in the next couple of months, so perhaps the tracks will be a lot dryer."

https://www.cricketworldcup.com/news/1220749
 
Captain Faf du Plessis said that South Africa haven't played their best cricket in previous editions of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup because they put themselves under unnecessary pressure.

South Africa have a reputation of underperforming in big tournaments, which the skipper put down to the players stressing over doing something special.

"In previous World Cups, we wanted to do Superman things. We thought we had to be more special, we had to do something more than we usually do, and we did not do what was good enough before," he told reporters on the eve of the team's departure for England. "We haven’t always got that right in the past, to play our best cricket at the World Cup, because we put so much pressure on ourselves. We want to just focus on enjoying our cricket."

Du Plessis said the key would be for the players to overcome the fear of failure and hoped that he could draw on his own experiences to help them cope with pressure.

"We started a year or two ago with a real focus on mental preparation and, as a captain, I probably speak more about that than previous captains," he said. "But I really believe it’s an area we can get better in. I’ve been there and I know the pressures, I understand how to deal with them.

"There’s a reason why we want the guys to play freely – because we don’t want them to have a fear of failure, which is what the World Cup is for some of them. Our success in England over the next couple of months depends on how well we release that aspect of our play – we need that for the team to be at our best. Each player needs to find out his own strengths."

'If we believe Hash [Amla] is the guy with the best form for the first game then he will be picked' 'If we believe Hash [Amla] is the guy with the best form for the first game then he will be picked'
The 34-year-old also wouldn't commit to Hashim Amla making South Africa's starting XI and said that selection would come down to the form of the players. Amla's form has been a matter of concern lately. He also hasn't played much cricket for South Africa recently, owing to his father's critical illness.

"In terms of team selection, that's a call we will make when we get to that first game," du Plessis said. "We have two warm-up games. Generally, we want to pick on form. If we believe Hash [Amla] is the guy with the best form for the first game, then he will be picked. But if we feel there are other guys that are more in form [we will pick them].

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1222974
 
Kagiso Rabada took more than any other player from South Africa's Cricket World Cup warm-up victory over Sri Lanka.

The 23-year-old quick, in the world's top ten bowlers in Tests and ODIs, will lead the Proteas attack as they bid for a first-ever tournament victory.

Rabada felt his own search for sharpness proved the value of warm-up contests with hosts England looming in next Thursday's opening game.

"I felt a bit rusty, but it was good to get a run out in the middle and get a feel for things again," he said.

"There's no pain. I'm feeling alright, just rusty in terms of my bowling smoothness. But it's all a work in progress.

"That's why we have warm-up games so it'll be a challenge for me to get ready before the tournament starts.

"I've got my own cues I need to work on. I know that I just need to analyse a bit what happened against Sri Lanka and just work on a few things.

"I'm not really thinking about it too much. It's just a case of running in and focussing on my cues."

Rabada, the leading wicket-taker with 25 scalps in the group stage of the recently concluded IPL, returned 1-40 from his seven overs in the 87-run triumph.

South Africa boast one of the competition's most formidable bowling attacks and Lungi Ngidi took 2-12 from six overs in Cardiff as a reminder of his class.

The Proteas will need all of their bowling firepower as they face Eoin Morgan's England batting powerhouse, averaging 341 in first innings since the 2015 World Cup.

True to form Rabada is spoiling for the challenge and already relishing his first appearance at a World Cup.

"It's great to play for South Africa again. It's an honour to represent your country on such a big stage as the World Cup," he said.

"England is going to be a stiff challenge, but an enjoyable one.

"It's crunch time - the first game of the World Cup and it's going to go down in history.

"They're a strong team, with good batsmen and bowlers. Multiple players from our team have played against England, we're familiar with them and that helps.

"On the day, we have to rock up. With the quality they possess, we need to make sure we are on top."
 
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