Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Sports / Cricket News/  ICC World Cup 2019: Five things to watch as England take on South Africa
BackBack

ICC World Cup 2019: Five things to watch as England take on South Africa

Four years of planning will be tested as hosts England face South Africa in the World Cup opener at the Oval on Thursday.
  • England’s early exit in the last edition prompted a transformation to power-hitting and a rise to the top of the ODI rankings. The Proteas, meanwhile, are flying under the radar.
  • England have a game plan of sustained power-hitting to maximize the potential of its batting lineup, which involves Jonny Bairstow as opener (Photo: Reuters)Premium
    England have a game plan of sustained power-hitting to maximize the potential of its batting lineup, which involves Jonny Bairstow as opener (Photo: Reuters)

    Mint tells you what to look out for in the opening clash of the World Cup

    England’s power-hitters

    England have a game plan of sustained power-hitting to maximize the potential of its batting lineup. Opener Jonny Bairstow, with new strokes in his arsenal after partnering Australia’s David Warner in the IPL, sets it off along with Jason Roy. Flexi-hitters Joe Root and skipper Eoin Morgan anchor the middle order before wicketkeeper Jos Butler and all-rounders Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali tee off for the final onslaught. The batting lineup looks awesome from its recent track record, but we’ll see how well it plays in a World Cup game with all the pressure on the hosts and favourites.

    South Africa’s challenge with the ball

    Some are calling him the new “whispering death", the nickname given to the great West Indian fast bowler Michael Holding for his smooth, silent run-up to the wicket before unleashing mayhem. Kagiso Rabada has all of Holding’s best attributes. Plus, he has adapted intelligently to today’s limited overs cricket, with a slower ball to go with the rasping yorker that won a game for Delhi Capitals in the IPL. He will spearhead South Africa’s pace attack, along with Lungi Ngidi, to challenge England’s power-hitters. But they will miss the old warhorse Dale Steyn, who is out of the opening game with a shoulder injury.

    A key to England’s success has been the wicket-taking capabilities of leg-spinner Adil Rashid in the middle overs and his South African counterpart Imran Tahir has been getting wilier with age (Photo: Reuters)
    View Full Image
    A key to England’s success has been the wicket-taking capabilities of leg-spinner Adil Rashid in the middle overs and his South African counterpart Imran Tahir has been getting wilier with age (Photo: Reuters)

    The battle of the leg-spinners

    A key to England’s success has been the wicket-taking capabilities of leg-spinner Adil Rashid in the middle overs. He first played for England in 2009, but sat out for six years before returning to the ODI team after the 2015 World Cup. He has since taken over 120 wickets. His counterpart in the South African team, Imran Tahir, is also a late bloomer. The 40-year-old keeps getting wilier with age, winning the Purple Cap for highest wicket-taker in IPL 2019. Watch out for his battle with Butler and his wild run in celebration should he get the Englishman’s wicket.

    Will Archer be on target?

    Jofra Archer, the fast bowler from Barbados, became eligible to play for England only a couple of months ago. Even that took a tweak in residency rules from the England and Wales Cricket Board. But his fast-tracking into the World Cup team, replacing left-arm swing bowler David Willey, shows England’s resolve to do whatever it takes to bring the Cup home. Archer has proved a handful in Twenty20 leagues, with his yorkers, bouncers, and variations. The tonk on Indian superstar M.S. Dhoni’s helmet from an Archer zinger in this year’s IPL would have set alarm bells ringing for opposition batsmen.

    The Oval wicket is likely to be flatter for the opener (Photo: Reuters)
    View Full Image
    The Oval wicket is likely to be flatter for the opener (Photo: Reuters)

    Will the Oval smile on batsmen?

    New Zealand’s Trent Boult blew away the Indian top order in a warm-up game a few days back at the Oval under cloud cover. The wicket is likely to be flatter for the opener. So, England’s batsmen will probably have a go even if it is cloudy. This may create opportunities for South Africa’s bowlers to cause an upset. Archer could exploit the bounce on the wicket.

    Sumit Chakraberty is the author of 2019 Cricket World Cup Thinking Cap

    Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

    Catch all the Sports News and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
    More Less
    Published: 29 May 2019, 10:55 PM IST
    Next Story footLogo
    Recommended For You
    Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App