ITS ALL SYSTEM go as South African cricket team ready itself for the global piece Cricket World Cup bowling off from May 30 to July 14 2019 in England and Wales.
The Proteas haven’t performed well in this showpiece in the past thus resulting in superlatives such as ‘chokers or stage fright’.
But after a successful One Day International (ODI) home series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the beginning of the year, the boys seem to found that magic, owing to introduction of fresher players of all race, and new coach Otti Gibson, who admitted coaching SA in the WC will be a real test.
Captain Faf Du Plessis seem to regained confidence that would propel his charges to a great show off.
The Proteas’ team management have confirmed that fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada‚ Lungi Ngidi‚ all-rounder JP Duminy and spinner Tabraiz Shamsi have been cleared to play at the ICC World Cup.
“‘KG’ Rabada has been cleared from his back strain‚ Lungi has been cleared from his side strain‚ JP has recovered completely from his right shoulder and Tabraiz Shamsi has recovered from his lower back‚” confirmed team doctor Mohammed Moosajee at the team’s farewell press conference on Saturday ahead of their departure for England on Sunday.
The only injury concern remains premier fast bowler Dale Steyn‚ who has been cleared by a team of specialists to travel to England‚ but is uncertain to play in the opening game against the hosts at the Oval on May 30.
“Dale is making good progress and he is being seen by two of South Africa’s best shoulder specialists‚” Moosajee said.
“He has had numerous scans done‚ which have not revealed anything of significance and we have been reassured by those specialist opinions who have cleared him for the tournament.
The team has left for England for friendly matches, after attending a tournament camp at Table Mountain.
They play in two warm-up matches against Sri Lanka (Friday, May 24) and West Indies (Sunday, May 26) before opening their World Cup against hosts England on Thursday, May 30.
Meanwhile, Standard Bank, the headline sponsor of the Proteas wished the squad well ahead of the tough assignment.
“To our Standard Bank Proteas and the management team, we wish you all the best as you go off to represent our country at the cricketing showpiece,” said Desiree Pooe- Executive Head of Sponsorship at Standard Bank
Since partnering with Cricket South Africa (CSA) in 2016, Standard Bank’s sponsorship of the national cricket team has tapped into the ‘feel good’ factor cricket creates amongst South Africans and encourages the ongoing and diversified growth of the sport.
“Through our cricket sponsorship of both the Regional Performance Centres (RPCs) and the Standard Bank Proteas, which depicts the journey from Bud to Bloom, emphasises the passion we have for cricket development in our country as it creates a pipeline for future stars to shine on the international stage.
Pooe says the opportunity to partner with the Standard Bank Proteas has provided fans, employees and future Proteas the opportunity to get closer to their nation’s heroes.
“Our sponsorship of the Proteas has united people in a way that very few sports do. By living our passions and realising our dreams, our unity is what will inspire a nation as we sing our national anthem with pride in honour of the team, adds Pooe.
“On behalf of our passionate staff across the country together with all South Africans, we would like to wish Ottis, Faf and the team well in England and Wales. We hope to realise the dream of bringing the trophy back home as we wear our green and gold Standard Bank Proteas jerseys to show our support,” concluded Pooe.
The Standard Bank Proteas kick-off their opening game against co-hosts England on 30 May 2019 at 11:30 (SA-time)
Standard Bank Proteas 15-man squad:Faf du Plessis (Multiply Titans, capt), Hashim Amla (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Quinton de Kock (Multiply Titans), JP Duminy (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Imran Tahir (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Multiply Titans), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Multiply Titans), Chris Morris (Multiply Titans), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Dwaine Pretorius (bizhub Highveld Lions), Kagiso Rabada (bizhub Highveld Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Multiply Titans), Dale Steyn (Multiply Titans), Rassie van der Dussen (bizhub Highveld Lions).
Full fixture:
Thursday, May 30 – England v South Africa, The Oval
Sunday, June 2 – South Africa v Bangladesh, The Oval
Wednesday, June 5 – South Africa v India, Hampshire Bowl
Monday, June 10 – South Africa v West Indies, Hampshire Bowl
Saturday, June 15 – South Africa v Afghanistan, Cardiff Wales Stadium
Wednesday, June 19 – New Zealand v South Africa, Edgbaston
Sunday, June 23 – Pakistan v South Africa, Lord’s
Friday, June 28 – Sri Lanka v South Africa, The Riverside Durham
Saturday, July 6 – Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford
Image (This is how we gonna destroy our opponents says coach Ottis Gibson to KG Rabada).
