South Africa's slim hopes of reaching the ICC Cricket World Cup knock-outs were dented further as their match against West Indies was abandoned after 7.3 overs' play at the Rose Bowl, Southampton on Monday. (REPORT | SCORECARD | SCHEDULE | POINTS TABLE )
Heavy rain in Hampshire put paid to proceedings after a start that promised much, with the Proteas reduced to 29/2. Sheldon Cottrell's pace proved too much for both Hashim Amla and Aiden Markram, but it would all be in vain as both sides had to settle for a point apiece from a game abandoned with no result.
West Indies return to action at the Rose Bowl against England on Friday while South Africa, who are still without a win in the tournament and staring at a likely group-stage elimination, travel to Cardiff to face Afghanistan the following day.
Meanwhile, Yuvraj Singh, one of India's most celebrated cricketer has announced his retirement from the sport. He helped India win the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 Cricket World Cup.
9:05 PM IST: Captains speak
Jason Holder, West Indies: Really good start again by the bowlers. It's unfortunate the weather came. So far, we've been getting new ball wickets. It's just a matter for our bowlers to hit the straps and continue doing what we're doing. We don't mind giving away runs. Hoping Andre Russell pulls up before the next game.
Faf du Plessis, South Africa: These are the worst. Both teams wanted to play and get results but you can't control the weather. For us it was important on a day like this to start not losing may wickets. It's like Test cricket. But they did well to get two wickets. Lungi Ngidi will be ready for the next (against Afghanistan).
9:00 PM IST: Only 45 legal deliveries bowled today as ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 witnessed rain playing spoilsport again. South Africa were struggling at 29/2 in 7.3 overs, then, if we may, the Rain God showered some blessings. Or, will it further dent their chances?
For the Windies, it's a frustrating end to their brilliant start.
8:46 PM IST: Finally, the match has been abandoned.
8:22 PM IST: It's raining again, and this time with some vengeance.
Rain game in Southampton. AP Photo
7:58 PM IST: Umpires have a brief inspection. Ground staff start to remove covers.
7:25 PM IST: Reports of slight drizzle. It's raining again. Pitch inspection was supposed to be at 19:45 IST.
6:40 PM IST: Finally, the rain has stopped.
Ground staff work to clear the rain covers. AP Photo
6:26 PM IST: Here's how world cricket reacted to Yuvraj Singh retirement, from Virender Sehwag's ultimate tribute to Stuart Broad's seemingly conciliatory message.
6:14 PM IST: It stopped for a while, then back again.
4:46 PM IST: And it continues to rain... In case of a washout, which team will get more benefit?
4:32 PM IST: Bad news! The rain has got heavier.
4:15 PM IST: Here's how you can kill time. Relive THOSE six sixes, by none other than Yuvi.
3:40 PM IST: Oshane Thomas continues but drizzle picks up. Umpires call for the covers. SA-29/2 after 7.3 overs. Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis unbeaten on 17 and naught respectively.
3:35 PM IST: Sheldon Cottrell gets his second wicket. He had Aiden Markram (5 off 10) caught behind. #SA-28/2 (6.1). Skipper Faf du Plessis is the new man. Maiden wicket.
3:28 PM IST: Kemar Roach on with his third over. Just three runs from the over. SA-28/1 after six overs.
3:25 PM IST: Sheldon Cottrell on with his third over. Quinton de Kock takes a double off the first ball, two deep mid-wicket. Windies fast bowler responds with a nasty bouncer. One more dot, then another double, to third man. A dot, then de Kock hits a four, past point. Eight runs from the over. SA-25/1 after five overs.
3:21 PM IST: Kemar Roach continues. Aiden Markram plays a delightful cover drive for a four to end the over. Six runs from the over. #SA-17/1 after four overs.
3:17 PM IST: Hashim Amla's (6 off 7) poor form continues. Sheldon Cottrell had him caught at first slip by Chris Gayle. FoW-11/1 (2.5). Aiden Markram is the new man. Seven runs from the over.
3:10 PM IST: Kemar Roach, right arm fast bowler, shares the new ball with Sheldon Cottrell. What a delivery to start the spell. Quinton de Kock survives, courtesy a review. Everybody thought he's gone, caught behind. One more dot, then a single to square leg. Three dots to Hashim Amla. Just a single from the over. SA-4/0 after two overs. Lights on at Rose Bowl. Dark clouds.
3:05 PM IST: Sheldon Cottrell gets the new ball. Four dot balls to Quinton de Kock, then a single. Hashim Amla plays the overpitched delivery through cover for a double. Three runs from the first over.
2:45 PM IST: A couple of changes each for both the sides. Windies have replaced unfit Evin Lewis and Andre Russell with Darren Bravo and Kemar Roach, while the Proteas have Aiden brought in Aiden Markram and Beuran Hendricks
West Indies: Chris Gayle, Shai Hope (wk), Darren Bravo, Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder (c), Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas
South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), Faf du Plessis (c), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir, Beuran Hendricks
2:32 PM IST: West Indies have won the toss and have opted to field.
2:25 PM IST: Toss in five minutes. A defeat would all but end South Africa's hopes of making it to the semi-finals.
2:24 PM IST: STAT ATTACK - The Proteas have claimed victory in four of their six matches against West Indies at the World Cup, including their previous three encounters.
2:20 PM IST: Hello and welcome to Outlook's live coverage of the 2019 Cricket World Cup game between South Africa and West Indies.
Following their three successive defeats, the chances of South Africa finishing in the top-four to qualify for the next stage look rather bleak. But a good win against the Windies will certainly revive their campaign. With six group matches remaining, Du Plessis & Co must seek every possible inspiration and the reason to turn around their campaign.
South Africa lost to hosts and top-ranked England in the tournament opener, which was followed by defeats against a fast-rising Bangladesh and hot favourites India.
For the Windies, which has become the stable of limited-overs (read: T20) mercenaries, the match will once again test their resolve and present another opportunity to prove that Caribbean cricket is not all about individual flair representing a disparate group of countries.
The Jason Holder-led side has the firepower and all the possible means – superstars, legacy and of course pride. But killing their game is – the unpredictability, possibly the bane for any sporting side.
They thrashed Pakistan, and then lost to Australia after reducing the defending champions to 38/4.
Key Facts
- South Africa lead the World Cup head-to-head record with four wins in six meetings (including their previous three encounters), while the Windies have two.
- South Africa have lost first three matches in the World Cup tournament for the first time.
- They have lost four matches in a single World Cup twice, in Australia and New Zealand in 1992 and In West Indies in 2007.
- Chris Gayle with 40 sixes, in 28 matches (28 innings), holds the record of hitting the highest number of sixes in World Cup.
Key quotes
"It's a game (vs India) that I really hoped that we would win. There was a lot on that game. It was going to give us some breathing space. So now we've just got a stiff challenge ahead of us, but we're ready to stand up, rise up to it." - South Africa quick, Kagiso Rabada.
"We are obviously confident, but we have to respect South Africa as well. They are a good side. They have lost three games. We know they have got world-class players so we can't underestimate their ability and we have to go out and play hard and smart cricket and stick to our game plans." - West Indies assistant coach, Roddy Estwick.
Squads
West Indies: Jason Holder (c), Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Carlos Brathwaite, Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Gayle, Shai Hope (wk), Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, JP Duminy, Dwaine Pretorius, Beuran Hendricks, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir, Tabraiz Shamsi
