South Africa's Cricket World Cup Team Preview

The South African Team are still in the hunt to win their maiden World Cup trophy.

This team is often referred with the tag of “Chokers.” From the loss in the semi-finals in 1992 due to the unfair rain rule to a heartbreaking loss in 2015 in the semi-finals against New Zealand, World Cup’s and South Africa have never been a loving couple. Every World Cup they head into, they are tagged as one of the favourites to lift the coveted trophy, but this time around they have been completely overshadowed by England, India and Australia. They head into this World Cup as underdogs, a phrase not so common to them. Will it help in the change of fortunes? Only time will tell.

But, a massive blow they got 8 months before the World Cup was scheduled to begin was the retirement of AB de Villiers. He was regarded as one of the legends of the game by many fans and even players. He had the potential to win matches out of impossible situations with the bat. He was a live wire in the field and was always saving runs for the team. But with his departure, the South African middle-order order lacks firepower. JP Duminy and David Miller will be excepted to fill in this loophole with all the experience they possess. With Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla likely to open and captain Faf Du Plessis batting at number 3, South Africa have a strong batting lineup. But, the ability to find the boundary occasionally throughout the middle overs will be something South Africa would like to address in the absence of AB de Villiers. South Africa has a mighty talent in Rassie Van Der Dussen, who has performed exceptionally in the domestic leagues. He might just get a nod ahead of Aiden Makaram and bat at number 4 for South Africa. 

However, South Africa enter into this tournament with one of the strongest bowling lineups alongside India and Australia. With the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Dale Steyn and Imran Tahir, South Africa might rely on their bowling to win the most of their matches. Their 5th bowling option Andrile Phehlukwayo has been a real revelation for them. He has a knack of picking up wickets at regular intervals and he might be just the difference between sides like South Africa and New Zealand. They have available a sixth bowling option in JP Duminy, who on a regular basis can give you 5-6 overs of spin. If the track gets dry and starts turning ( which is likely to in the second half of the tournament), then Tabraiz Shamsi, a spin-bowling option can be included instead of a pace bowler. Chris Morris and Dwayne Pretorious are also all-round options available on the bench if needed. 

Probable playing xi - 

Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock(wk), Faf Du Plessis, Rassie Van Der Duseen, David Miller, JP Duminy, Andrile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir.

• Chris Morris will be playing ahead of Dale Steyn for the first match due to the shoulder injury Dale Steyn picked up during the IPL. Pretorious is also an option but, Morris has the ability to tonk the ball into the stands in the final overs and also serves as an excellent death bowling option. 

Interesting facts about the South African Team - 

• Hashim Amla needs 90 runs in 3 innings to become the fastest to 8000 ODI runs. Virat Kohli, the current fastest to 8000 ODI runs did it in 175 innings. 

• South Africa is the only country to not play in a World Cup Final among all test playing Nations who have played at least 110 test matches.

• Hashim Amla is the fastest to 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and, 7000 ODI runs.

• Although not a part of the squad, South Africa’s AB de Villiers holds 3 World Cup records. He has the highest batting average among all batsmen of 63.52 (minimum of 20 innings). He has scored the fastest 150 in 64 balls against West Indies in the 2015 World Cup and him alongside Chris Gayle has hit the most number of sixes in World Cup history (37).

My prediction- 

• Although nobody is talking about South Africa, I still feel they are a force to reckon with especially if their batting is able to click. They will have a tough fight with New Zealand for the 4th spot but I feel South Africa might just fall short and finish either 5th or 6th.