Cricket World Cup 2019: South Africa elect to bowl, Jofra Archer makes World Cup debut for England
In the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 opener, Faf du Plessis has won the toss and South Africa have elected to bowl against the Eoin Morgan-led England at The Oval in London on Thursday.
With Dale Steyn still to be fully fit and Chris Morris not being picked, the Proteas have gone ahead with the pace bowling quartet of Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi with Imran Tahir being the frontline spinner with JP Duminy certain to roll his arm for a few overs.
For England, they have not picked Mark Wood, Liam Dawson, James Vince and Joe Denly in the playing XI. Jofra Archer, meanwhile, will make his World Cup debut.
“Going to have a bowl. Early start at the Oval, if there’s anything in the wicket, it’s now. Shamsi, Miller, Morris, Steyn not playing. Steyn’s around 80%. The start of the World Cup. It’s going to be a good one. Ngidi and KG have been exceptional over the last couple of years. Good to see Amla scoring runs in the warm up,” said du Plessis after winning the toss. (Cricket World Cup 2019, ENG vs SA: FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES)
“Would’ve looked to do the same. Wicket looks really good. It’s set fair all day, shouldn’t change much. Yes, Wood was available for selection. But unfortunately he’s missed out. Archer’s a guy who’s come in and impressed. He’s very calm when he plays. He’s a very exciting prospect. Yeah, the favourites tag sits comfortably. It’s been a collective drive for us,” said Morgan.
Teams:
England: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan(c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler(w), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid
South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Jean-Paul Duminy, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir