What is it?
2019 World Cup group stage match
Who is playing?
South Africa v West Indies
When is it?
Today, 1.30pm (UAE time) start
Where is it being played?
Rose Bowl, Southampton
How to watch in UAE?
Tune in to OSN Sports Cricket HD or create an online account with Wavo for US$54 (a little less than Dh200). The account will provide customers access to two channels, OSN Cric Xtra 1 and OSN Cric Xtra 2.
What’s their head-to-head like?
Matches: 61
South Africa won: 44
West Indies won: 15
Tied: 1
No result: 1
Form guide (past five games):
South Africa: LLLWW
West Indies: LWLLW
What they said:
Kagiso Rabada, South Africa fast bowler, on off-field distractions and setbacks: "There's just been a lot happening off the field and we are just looking to clear that out of our heads. But it has been enjoyable. It's exciting. This is what you want. It has been enjoyable but it has come with its challenges in terms of our team."
Roddy Estwick, West Indies assistant coach, on the importance of the team to look forward to become world champions again: "We can't keep looking back. We've got to respect the past but this group of bowlers know they've got to find their own identity."
Likely XIs:
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis (c), Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, JP Duminy, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Beuran Hendricks, Imran Tahir.
West Indies: Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (wk), Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder (c), Andre Russell, Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas.
Summary:
South Africa will be under pressure at Rose Bowl today knowing defeat would almost certainly mean an early exit from the World Cup. The Proteas' preparations have not been helped by revelations former captain AB de Villiers was keen on coming out of retirement and rejoining his national team only to be denied, perhaps rightly so, a chance by management. They are also struggling with injury issues, with Dale Steyn out of the tournament and fellow fast bowler Lungi Ngidi struggling as well.
Meanwhile, West Indies will fancy their chances of winning given they have fared better than their opponents so far. They began by beating Pakistan before brilliantly troubling Australia with ball and bat. Having said that, there is every chance they will come up against a side desperate to win and must prepare to face the pace and guile of Kagiso Rabada in damp conditions.
