South Africa strive to avoid World Cup qualification dissapointment
South Africa will face England in a one-day international series in Bloemfontein on Friday, with a solid performance required to clinch automatic qualifying for the Cricket World Cup later this year.
The three-match series is part of the International Cricket Council’s World Cup Super League, in which the top eight sides will qualify for the World Cup, which will be held in India in October and November.
Time to work 🇿🇦#SAvENG #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/XJ1DMsAT4d
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) January 26, 2023
South Africa must win at least three of their upcoming five matches, including two against the Netherlands, to leapfrog the West Indies, who are now in eighth place after finishing their schedule.
However, if Sri Lanka wins at least two matches in their last series in New Zealand in March, they might overtake the West Indies. South Africa can qualify if they win all five of their remaining fixtures.
Teams who do not automatically qualify for the World Cup will have to compete in a qualification event in Zimbabwe in June and July.
The England ODI series comes at a difficult moment for South Africa, with the departure of head coach Mark Boucher.
#Proteas caretaker coach Shukri Conrad is locked in 🔒#SAvENG #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/nl0tP7shKt
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) January 26, 2023
Rob Walter, the new white ball coach, is finishing up with Central Districts in New Zealand, while Shukri Conrad, who has been chosen as Test coach, will fill in for the matches against England.
Conrad stated that he was in constant communication with Walter. “We have similar thoughts. We have conversations almost every day.”
South African selectors have disregarded requests for a shake-up in an underperforming 50-overs team, and have not brought in new talent for the England series.
Strike a pose and say cheese 😆#SAvENG #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/St4GHFXO70
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) January 25, 2023
“It’s a really stable group,” Conrad stated. “They understand what is expected of them in this season.”
Eight members of England’s squad have competed in the SA20 league, including skipper Jos Buttler, the leading run-scorer, and fast bowler Jofra Archer, who has impressed in five matches for the MI Cape Town club.
It's a record that's as close as can be 🏏
The #Proteas take on England in a 3-match Betway ODI Series from 27 January – 1 February in Bloemfontein and Kimberley 💪
Grab your ticket here 🎟️ https://t.co/op0CjweIP0#SAvENG #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/fNI4hvahD4
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) January 25, 2023
Archer has not played for England in over two years due to injuries.
The fast bowler told reporters that he was “around 80 percent fit” and was no longer scared that his body “going to give up”.
