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London, May 29
England will put four years of planning to the test when they face South Africa in the opening match of the World Cup at the Oval tomorrow.
So embarrassing was England’s first-round exit at the 2015 edition in Australia and New Zealand it prompted a major rethink of their attitude towards the white-ball game. The transformation has been remarkable, with Eoin Morgan’s men climbing to the top of the ODI rankings and twice setting a new record for the highest ODI total, which now stands at 481/6.
Batting has been the basis of England’s ODI rejuvenation, with Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Morgan and the dynamic Jos Buttler among a top seven who can all change the course of an innings in the blink of an eye. “It’s an exciting feeling being in this team as you have world-class players all around you and the opposition might get 370, but there’s a belief in the dressing room we can chase it down,” said England leg-spinner Adil Rashid.
South Africa have suffered plenty of World Cup heartache but having been losing semifinalists four years ago there is a sense the Proteas are going under the radar this time around.
South Africa coach Ottis Gibson is convinced the pressure is all on the tournament hosts. “To play the hosts, the number one team, is the best way to start, because it gives us a real sense of where we are and what we need to do going forward,” Gibson said.
South Africa will be without Dale Steyn in the opener as the outstanding fast bowler nurses a shoulder injury. However, Kagiso Rabada, arguably the leading paceman in world cricket today, has been passed fit following a back injury. — AFP
Eng-SA head-to-head in World Cups
Matches played: 6
England won: 3
South Africa won: 3
"To play the hosts, the number one team, is the best way to start" Ottis Gibson, SA coach
Live on Star Sports, 3pm