Table of Contents
ToggleSouth Africa Cricket Team have reached England in pursuit of the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019 starting from May 30. As the Proteas gear up to face England in the tournament opener, skipper Faf du Plessis has dropped hints on how the playing XI can look like.
Du Plessis drops a hint about the playing XI
Meanwhile, South Africa will be desperate to remove the Chokers tag in this marquee tournament. However, they received the major setback last year when AB de Villiers surprisingly announced his retirement. Despite that, the Proteas have a strong batting unit with an even better bowling attack as the embarks on their World Cup journey.
Also read: Top 10 Teams With Most Wins In World Cup Matches
Addressing a press conference, skipper Faf du Plessis has hinted that they will for a balance of six specialist batsmen‚ one all-rounder‚ three fast bowlers and a spinner. Quinton de Kock will open the batting with Hashim Amla or Aiden Markram‚ then it will be Du Plessis and Rassie van der Dussen at either three or four and David Miller and JP Duminy at number five and six. The number seven all-rounder spot is between Andile Phehlukwayo and Chris Morris followed by three pacers and one spinner. Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, and Lungi Ngidi will be the fast bowlers while Imran Tahir will be the lone spinner.
“I played against Pakistan at number three and myself and Rassie are both equipped to do three and four,” he said. “You will have openers‚ me or Rassie at three or four‚ perhaps have David at five and JP at six and that is how we will be structured,” he added.
Miller to get time to settle
Furthermore, Faf du Plessis said that they want to give David Miller enough time to settle in before he unleashes his carnage on the opponent bowlers. The South African skipper also admitted that they expect Miller to bat with responsibility and finish games for them. Veteran all-rounder JP Duminy will follow Miller in the batting order.
“I know with David he is someone who needs a bit of time because he is at his best when he has had time to knock the ball around and explode towards the end‚” he conlcuded.
South Africa will play England in the curtain raiser at the Ovals on May 30.