South Africa needs to perform well against England in the one-day international series on Friday in Bloemfontein if they want to guarantee their automatic qualifying for the Cricket World Cup later this year. The three-match series is a part of the World Cup Super League of the International Cricket Council, from which the top eight teams will advance to the World Cup in India in October and November.
In order to surpass West Indies, who are presently in seventh place after finishing their schedule, South Africa must win at least three of their remaining five games and face the Netherlands twice. But if Sri Lanka wins at least two games in their last series in New Zealand in March, they too might overtake the West Indies. If South Africa wins all five of their remaining games, they will automatically qualify.
South Africa go 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 #SAvENG https://t.co/hakyRvW8Ql
— CricketNDTV (@CricketNDTV) January 26, 2023
Teams who do not automatically qualify for the World Cup must compete in a qualification event in Zimbabwe in June and July. Following Mark Boucher’s resignation as head coach, South Africa is in a transitional period as they prepare for the England ODI series. Shukri Conrad, who was chosen as Test coach, will fill in for the matches against England while Rob Walter, the new white ball coach, finishes off his obligations with Central Districts in New Zealand.
Conrad claimed to be in constant communication with Walter. “We have similar viewpoints. We talk to one another practically every day.” The South African selectors did not add new talent to their squad for the England series despite requests for change in a struggling 50-over team. It is a fairly established group, according to Conrad. They are aware of the requirements for this series. But it appears likely that when Walter takes over next month, there might be new ideas.
After being put in charge of an Otago side that had fallen short of its potential, Walter demonstrated in his first coaching position in New Zealand that he is not afraid to use stern measures. He told the South African publication Rapport, “I had to make some difficult decisions, which resulted in the departure of certain veteran players.” Faf du Plessis, the 38-year-old former captain who on Tuesday night scored the first century in South Africa’s SA20 competition, may make a comeback to international cricket as one possibility.
But Walter, who collaborated with Du Plessis while Du Plessis served as the Titans franchise’s head coach before relocating to New Zealand in 2016, stated that his first assignment would be to speak with Temba Bavuma, the captain of the South African white-ball team.
Eight members of England’s squad are participating in the SA20 league, including Jos Buttler, the team’s captain and leading run-scorer, and fast bowler Jofra Archer, who has excelled for the MI Cape Town team in five matches.
Archer has missed almost two years of England competition due to injuries. The fast bowler said he was “around 80% fit” and no longer worried that his body was “about to give way” to reporters in Bloemfontein.
Out of 8, seven teams are already qualified for the tournament. The countries which are selected are India, England, New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, afganistan, and West Indies.
Now it depends upon the performance of South Africa, whether it will count in these eight or not.
In 2023 the ODI World Cup will be going to held in 13th edition. Total ten teams will participate in the World Cup.
