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2023 Cricket World Cup
One Day International Format
South Africa v Sri Lanka
Arun Jaitley Stadium
Delhi, India
Saturday, 7 October 2023
South Africa will begin their quest for a first-ever
World Cup title when they face Sri Lanka at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday, October 7.
The Proteas are perennial underachievers on cricket's biggest stage, having never reached the final since their readmission in 1991, although they've been dealt a bad hand on occasion.
South Africa were eliminated in the semi-finals at the 1992, 1999, 2007 and 2015 editions, with possibly their best chance coming on debut in Australia and New Zealand when they were undone by the Duckworth-Lewis method (now called the DLS) against England.
They failed to even make it out of the group stages four years ago after winning just three of their nine matches in the quadrennial tournament.
The Proteas' preparations for the showpiece event in India were hardly ideal after their first warm-up match against Bangladesh was washed out and rained also affected their second one, which New Zealand won on the DLS method.
The Black Caps batted first and posted a total of 321/6 in 50 overs which was revised to 219. Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the South African bowlers with figures of 3 for 33 from eight overs.
Rob Walter's side made a fight of it and reached 211/4 before rain intervened for the final time. Quinton de Kock finished with an unbeaten 84 off 89 balls, while Rassie van der Dussen added 51 of 56 deliveries.
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David Miller, who was at the crease with De Kock when the rain came down, believes the Proteas can go all the way this time around in India as he dismissed the "choker" tag they've been labelled with over the years.
"We genuinely believe that we can do something special. The reality is we haven't won a World Cup, so there's no point brushing that under the carpet. But personally I don't live with those things on my shoulders. The past is the past. It doesn't impact me at all," Miller was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
"I genuinely believe that we're not chokers. How that tag affects people is an individual thing, but it's never, ever bothered me. I'm honestly not just saying that.
"Obviously, there's been history and there's been games that we've not played well in that have let us down. But I would never say the 'chokers' tag applies to us, although that's what everyone says. I've never really believed that at all."
Sri Lanka have a far better World Cup pedigree, winning the coveted trophy in 1996 before contesting the final again in 2007 and 2011.
The Lions also had a disappointing showing in England and Wales last time out as they too failed to advance from the group stages with a record of three wins, four defeats and two no results from their nine matches.
Chris Silverwood's side warmed up for the tournament with an ODI against Afghanistan on Tuesday, October 3, which saw Kusal Mendis amass 158, with his century coming in just 59 balls and included nine sixes.
Alamy Stock Photo
Skipper Dasun Shanaka and Kusal Janith Perera sat out the game with elbow and shoulder injuries respectively, but the duo could recover in time to take South Africa.
"Captain Dasun Shanaka is not taking part in today's warm-up game, as the player is recovering from a 'strain' he experienced on his left elbow following the warm-up game vs. Bangladesh," Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement on social media.
"Kusal Janith Perera, who experienced pain on his right shoulder during Sri Lanka's warm-up game against Bangladesh, is currently under medical treatment and is in the process of recovery."
Head-to-Head (ODI)
Matches - 80
South Africa - 45
Sri Lanka - 33
Draws - 1
No result - 1
ODI World Rankings
4 - South Africa
7 - Sri Lanka
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