South Africa enters Friday’s one-day international series against England in Bloemfontein requiring a solid showing to qualify automatically for the Cricket World Cup later this year.
The three-game series is part of the International Cricket Council’s World Cup Super League, from which the top eight teams will qualify for the World Cup in October and November in India.
South Africa must win at least three of their remaining five matches, as well as two against the Netherlands, in order to surpass the West Indies, who are now in ninth position after finishing their schedule.
But Sri Lanka might also overtake the West Indies in March if they win at least two matches in their last series in New Zealand. South Africa can guarantee qualifying if they win their remaining five matches.
In June and July, teams that do not qualify automatically for the World Cup will compete in a qualification event in Zimbabwe.
The England ODI series coincides with a period of transition for South Africa, with the departure of head coach Mark Boucher.
Rob Walter, the new white ball coach, is fulfilling his obligations with Central Districts in New Zealand, while Shukri Conrad, the newly appointed Test coach, will take over for the matches against England.
Conrad stated that he maintained close contact with Walter. “We have similar viewpoints. We converse literally every single day.”
The South African selectors have not added any new players to their squad for the England series, despite requests for an overhaul of their underperforming 50-overs roster.
“It’s a very stable squad,” Conrad stated.
They comprehend the requirements for this series.
But it seems likely that there will be new ideas when Walter assumes leadership next month.
After being placed in charge of an Otago side that had underachieved, Walter demonstrated in his first coaching position in New Zealand that he is not afraid to take harsh measures.
“I had to make some difficult decisions, which led to the departure of some senior players,” he told the Rapport newspaper in South Africa.
Former captain Faf du Plessis, 38, who scored the first century in South Africa’s SA20 league on Tuesday night, could return to international cricket.
But Walter, who worked with Du Plessis when he was head coach of the Titans before relocating to New Zealand in 2016, stated that his first assignment would be to speak with South African white-ball captain Temba Bavuma.
Eight members of England’s squad have participated in the SA20 tournament, including skipper Jos Buttler, the highest run-scorer, and fast bowler Jofra Archer, who has performed well in five matches for the MI Cape Town squad.
For nearly two years, injuries have stopped Archer from playing for England.
The fast bowler told reporters in Bloemfontein that he was “about 80% fit” and no longer feared that his body might “fail.”
ARMY South Africa
Temba Bavuma (captain), Quinton de Kock (wkt), Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen
England
Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Phil Salt, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, David Willey, and Chris Woakes are the batsmen.
Fixtures:
Friday, January 27: 13:00 in Bloemfontein (day-night)
Sunday, January 29: 10:00 am in Bloemfontein (day).
Wednesday, February 1 at 13:00 in Kimberley (day-night)
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