Cricket World Cup 2019: Can Faf du Plessis dig South Africa out of a hole against West Indies?

We break down the group match between South Africa and West Indies at Southampton today

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  Faf du Plessis (South Africa): The captain will have to lead from the front by scoring big runs if South Africa need to beat the West Indies and keep their World Cup hopes alive. Alex Davidson / Getty Images

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  Quinton de Kock (South Africa): The opener struggled to read India seamer Jasprit Bumrah's bowling, but he is South Africa's form batsman and will be expected to give his team the solid start, especially if the conditions ate damp and they have to bat first. Alastair Grant / AP Photo

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  Kagiso Rabada (South Africa): The in-form paceman is the leader of South Africa's pace attack and, if he can do early damage to the West Indian innings, there is a good chance his team will win. Alex Davidson / Getty Images

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  Shai Hope (West Indies): The top-order batsman's class and form will be crucial to his team's chances of setting up a big total against South Africa. Rui Vieira / AP Photo

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  Chris Gayle (West Indies): He is one of the most explosive openers in the world and, even though he is past his prime, the left-hander has already shown he has the game to blow away opposition bowling attacks. He will need to find a way to deal with Kagiso Rabada and Imran Tahir, though. Andrew Boyers / Reuters

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  Sheldon Cottrell (West Indies): The fast bowler is also an excellent fielder as he demonstrated against Australia, and he will need to be on top of hs game to give South Africa a run for their money. Simon Cooper / AP Photo

What is it?

2019 World Cup group stage match

Who is playing?

South Africa v West Indies

When is it?

Today, 1.30pm (UAE time) start

Where is it being played?

Rose Bowl, Southampton

How to watch in UAE?

Tune in to OSN Sports Cricket HD or create an online account with Wavo for US$54 (a little less than Dh200). The account will provide customers access to two channels, OSN Cric Xtra 1 and OSN Cric Xtra 2.

What’s their head-to-head like?

Matches: 61

South Africa won: 44

West Indies won: 15

Tied: 1

No result: 1

Form guide (past five games):

South Africa: LLLWW

West Indies: LWLLW

What they said:

Kagiso Rabada, South Africa fast bowler, on off-field distractions and setbacks: "There's just been a lot happening off the field and we are just looking to clear that out of our heads. But it has been enjoyable. It's exciting. This is what you want. It has been enjoyable but it has come with its challenges in terms of our team."

Roddy Estwick, West Indies assistant coach, on the importance of the team to look forward to become world champions again: "We can't keep looking back. We've got to respect the past but this group of bowlers know they've got to find their own identity."

Likely XIs:

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis (c), Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, JP Duminy, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Beuran Hendricks, Imran Tahir.

West Indies: Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (wk), Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder (c), Andre Russell, Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas.

Summary:

South Africa will be under pressure at Rose Bowl today knowing defeat would almost certainly mean an early exit from the World Cup. The Proteas' preparations have not been helped by revelations former captain AB de Villiers was keen on coming out of retirement and rejoining his national team only to be denied, perhaps rightly so, a chance by management. They are also struggling with injury issues, with Dale Steyn out of the tournament and fellow fast bowler Lungi Ngidi struggling as well.

Meanwhile, West Indies will fancy their chances of winning given they have fared better than their opponents so far. They began by beating Pakistan before brilliantly troubling Australia with ball and bat. Having said that, there is every chance they will come up against a side desperate to win and must prepare to face the pace and guile of Kagiso Rabada in damp conditions.