Having lost their three games so far at the 2019 ICC World Cup so far, South Africa will face a daunting task when they take on the West Indies at the Hampshire Bowl on Monday.
Though their three losses don’t mean curtain to their campaign in England, any more dents on their way could see them miss that semi-final slot and return home early. The Proteas, along with Afghanistan, are the only sides not to win a game at the World Cup so far – a stat they would be eager to change soon.
Challenging them on Monday will be a Windies unit, beaming with confidence despite their loss to champions Australia in the previous game. The team from the Caribbean have been a breath of fresh air at the World Cup, entertaining and challenging their opponents in equal measure with some top-quality pace bowling.
Against Pakistan, in their opening game, the Windies bowlers were all over the opposition – testing and probing them with incessant wave of short balls. It was no different when they lined-up against Australia too. And if not for the batting heroics from all-rounder Nathan Coulter-Nile, and some shoddy umpiring, Jason Holder’s men would all but won that game.
For the Proteas, to point fingers at one unit will be unjust. While the batting line-up, sans Faf du Plessis, has struggled to get any respectable score on the board, the bowling department has done nothing to stop the opposition from going gung-ho.
However, having won their opening fixture and pushing closer to victory against Australia, they will be the favourites in Monday's game. South Africa, however, have a 4-2 advantage over West Indies in World Cup games.
Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Glyn Kirk
