ICC World Cup 2019: South Africa still undecided on final squad for the mega event

South Africa have boasted of some of the best players, including the likes of AB de Villiers, Shaun Pollock and Dale Steyn. Yet the Proteas are one of the rare teams to not have gotten their hands on the World Cup trophy. Going into the mega event next year, the Faf du Plessis-captained team is one of the most in-form teams, having emerged victorious in their last four One Day International series.

Their last defeat came against India way back in February 2018 when they were beaten 5-1. Thereafter, South Africa have bulldozed Sri Lanka (twice), Zimbabwe and Pakistan respectively. However, ahead of the next edition of the mega event in England and Wales, the African nation is undecided on their final squad.

We don’t want to be taking injuries into a World Cup

Otis Gibson, the head coach, mentioned that the team management has the players in mind, but the team hasn’t been finalized just yet. The 50-year-old also sent a message to players, playing in the Indian Premier League, to keep the World Cup in mind. Du Plessis, Kagiso Rabada and David Miller are playing the IPL.

“I’ve had 15 (players in mind) for a while now, but we’ve got to sit with fingers crossed. We’ve asked the guys who have gone off (to the IPL) to make sure that they still remember what the biggest picture is with regards to the Proteas setup,” Gibson was quoted as saying in Cricket Next.

“We have a camp on May 12, and we want to make sure that there are no niggling injuries. We don’t want to be taking injuries into a World Cup, so hopefully that will take care of itself,” Gibson, also a former Windies cricketer, added.

South Africa are scheduled to play the opening match of the World Cup against hosts and favourites England at the Kennington Oval in London on Thursday, May 30.

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