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BLOEMFONTEIN: South Africa goes into a one-day international series against England in Bloemfontein on Friday needing a strong performance to ensure automatic qualification for the Cricket World Cup later this year.
The three-match 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 India in October and November.
South Africa need to win at least three of their remaining five fixtures – they also have to play two matches against the Netherlands – to climb above West Indies, who are currently in eighth place after completing their program.
But Sri Lanka could also leapfrog the West Indies if they win at least two matches in their final series in New Zealand in March. South Africa can guarantee qualification by winning all five of their remaining games.
Teams that fail to win a World Cup place automatically will have to play in a qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe in June and July.
The England ODI series comes at a time of transition for South Africa, following the resignation of Mark Boucher as head coach.
Rob Walter, the new white ball coach, is completing his commitments with Central Districts in New Zealand and Shukri Conrad, appointed as Test coach, will stand in for the matches against England.
Conrad said he was in close contact with Walter. “We share similar ideas. We are in conversation literally every day.”
Eight of England’s squad has been playing in the SA20 competition, including captain Jos Buttler, who is the leading run-scorer, and fast bowler Jofra Archer, who has shown good form in five matches for the MI Cape Town team.
Injuries have prevented Archer from playing for England for almost two years.
The pace bowler told journalists in Bloemfontein that he was “about 80 percent fit” and was no longer worried that his body “going to give way”.
Squads:
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: Jos Buttler (captain, wkt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Phil Salt, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes.
Fixtures:
January 27, Bloemfontein (day-night)
January 29, Bloemfontein (day)
February 1, Kimberley (day-night)
