World Cup 2019: Out-of-form Proteas look to recent history ahead of Windies clash

It has not been the best of starts to the Cricket World Cup for South Africa, but it has history on its side against West Indies.

Published : Jun 09, 2019 19:02 IST

South Africa will be banking on recent history repeating itself when it attempts to get its World Cup 2019 campaign back on track against West Indies on Monday at Southampton.

The Proteas have endured a miserable start to the tournament, losing all three of their matches against England, Bangladesh and India.

While its form has been badly left wanting, South Africa can at least look to a recent World Cup trend for hope ahead of the clash at Hampshire Bowl.

The two heavyweights have met six times in the competition, with South Africa winning four of those matches – including the previous three.

West Indies is also aiming to get it momentum back on track having followed an opening-match battering of Pakistan with a narrow 15-run defeat in a thriller against Australia.

Star batsman Chris Gayle saw a run of six ODI half-centuries in succession come to an end in that contest and he will want to make a statement against South Africa.

It is perhaps Shai Hope, though, who holds the key for West Indies.

Hope made 68 last time out against Australia and since the start of 2017 he has reached 50 on 16 occasions, twice as often as any other West Indies batsman in the same time period (Gayle is next highest with eight).

Imran Tahir needs to claim a couple of wickets to move to third on South Africa's all-time list of ODI wickets taken against the Windies ahead of Makhaya Ntini on 27. He would still be well short of Shaun Pollock (44) and Jacques Kallis (42).

So far this tournament, Tahir has taken four wickets in three appearances while none of his 180 deliveries have been smacked for six.

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