Published: Jun 14, 2013, 05:48 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 14, 2013, 05:48 PM (IST)
West Indies need to win the game against South Africa in order to qualify for the semi-final © Getty Images
Cardiff: Jun 14, 2013
South Africa- West Indies tie has been reduced to a 31-overs-a-side contest due to persistent rain. West Indies have elected to bowl in a must-win encounter against South Africa in a 31-over game after rain had delayed the start of the match at Cardiff on Friday.
The weather was expected to be cloudy ahead of the match and there was a delay of more than three hours. Earlier when the toss took place the match had been reduced to 36-overs-a-side. But frequent rain delays caused further reduction in the overs.
In case the match was abandoned, the points would have been split between the teams and South Africa would have advanced courtesy of better run-rate.
South Africa have got a shot in the arm ahead of the crucial match with pacer Dale Steyn returning to fitness. He bowled in the nets on Wednesday without any discomfort after being laid low by a side strain.
As far as the batting prowess goes, both teams seem evenly matched even though the Chris Gayle factor could tilt the scales in the West Indies’ favour if the swashbuckler comes up with one of his hurricane knocks.
On the bowling front, South Africa have the distinct edge, especially if Steyn returns to the squad on Friday.
For the West Indies, spinner Sunil Narine remains a crucial cog and he proved his worth yet against when he picked up a couple of wickets against India, albeit for a losing cause in their previous match.
South Africans, on the other hand, have a strong bowling line-up, which stifled Pakistan in their previous game.
Medium-pacer Ryan McLaren was especially destructive with a four-wicket haul.
Teams:
South Africa: Hashim Amla, Colin Ingram, AB de Villiers (c & wk), Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis, David Miller, Ryan McLaren, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Chris Morris.
West Indies: Chris Gayle, Johnson Charles (wk), Darren Bravo, Devon Smith, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo (c), Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy, Sunil Narine, Ravi Rampaul, Tino Best.
