Published: May 30, 2019, 10:09 PM (IST)
Edited: May 30, 2019, 10:10 PM (IST)
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Match 1 of Cricket World Cup 2019 between England and South Africa at the Oval, London on Thursday.
PREVIEW
ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 kick starts on May 30 (Thursday) with hosts and favouritesEngland taking on heavyweights South Africa at the Oval, London. Boasting a plethora of big-hitting white-ball specialists, England are the top-ranked team in the 50-over game and with their recent marauding form South Africa will have a tough time in the opener.
England are even threatening to smash the 500-run barrier for the first time in an ODI innings, having set a new record total of 481 for six against Australia in Nottingham last year. And their attack now has an extra threat in recently qualified Barbados-born fast bowler Jofra Archer. 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 to the white-ball game.
The transformation has been remarkable, with Eoin Morgan‘s men climbing to the top of the one-day international rankings and twice setting a new record for the highest one-day international total, which now stands at 481 for six.
South Africa have been dealt with a major blow with Dale Steyn unavailable for the opener and have largely flown under the radar to the build up to the mega event, largely owing to the lack of form of Hashim Amla and inexperienced top-order. but in Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabadaand seam-bowling allrounders, the Proteas will most definitely pack a punch
South Africa, captained by Faf du Plessis, are without retired star batsman AB de Villiers but their top order includes the talented Quinton de Kock.
