South Africa’s final warm-up fixture prior to Thursday’s World Cup opener against England at The Oval in London was hampered by rain in Bristol on Sunday.
A third and final interruption due to inclement weather saw the Proteas warm-up with the West Indies eventually consigned to a washout.
West Indies captain Jason Holder had won the toss and opted to bowl first – an emerging theme in this World Cup.
The Proteas were captained by stand-in skipper JP Duminy rather than full-time captain Faf du Plessis – and pushed to 95 without loss inside 13 overs before inclement weather had the final say.
The left-handed Quinton de Kock, who didn’t bat in Friday’s warm-up fixture against Sri Lanka in Cardiff, survived a threatening lbw appeal en route to 37 not out from 30 deliveries.
Fellow opener Hashim Amla, who gathered 65 against the Sri Lankans, welcomed a successive half-century with 51 not out from 46. The veteran right-hander has likely secured a position at the top of the order ahead of the burgeoning Aiden Markram for Thursday’s fixture against England.
While de Kock was characteristically attacking on the pull across the leg-side when peppered by short deliveries, Amla was typically confident on the drive through the off-side.
Sunday’s other warm-up fixture between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Wales was washed out without a delivery bowled.
Photo: Gallo Images
