Southampton: South Africa’s chances of staying alive in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 received a major blow after their contest against the West Indies was washed out, here on Monday.
Only 7.3 overs of play was possible, in which South Africa reached 29/2 before the heavens opened up. What started as a drizzle turned to some strong, heavy rain, which continued for over four hours, before the game was officially called off.
This is the second washout of the tournament and one which gives South Africa and West Indies one point each. And although it has finally got South Africa off the mark on the points table, it dims their hopes as they now have to win all their remaining matches to put up 11 points, which is what a team requires for a semifinal berth.
In whatever little play was possible, Sheldon Cottrell managed to trouble South Africa with his pace and bounce, getting rid of Hashim Amla and Aiden Markram, Amla struck a crisp cover drive before gloving a ball wide and short outside off to Chris Gayle at slip. Markram, on the other hand, feathered a delivery down leg for Shai Hope to complete a catch. When it started raining, de Kock was on 17 and his skipper Faf du Plessis was yet to open his account having faced seven deliveries.
South Africa next face Afghanistan in Cardiff on Saturday.
