The performances of captains Faf du Plessis and Eoin Morgan could decide the outcome as the Proteas take on England in the World Cup opener at the Oval, writes KHALID MOHIDIN.
A battle of the bat. A battle of minds. A battle of different ideologies as the team hailed for their dominant batting takes on a side feared for their bowling excellence.
Morgan cleared himself fit to play at the captains’ presser on Wednesday, after an injury scare in training on Friday threatened his availability for the opener at The Oval. He goes into the tournament with his side tipped as heavy favourites to win, while Du Plessis gets the Proteas’ tournament under way relishing the underdog tag.
Both sides start on Thursday looking to shake off the stigmas of World Cup failures that have followed them around the world.
Captaincy for both players have improved their batting stats, with Morgan recording an average of just over 45 as skipper, and Du Plessis superior with an average of well over 55 while in charge. This is a 10% increase above that averaged by these players without the armband.
However, Morgan trumps Du Plessis in captaincy experience, with 100 caps to his name, while the Proteas skipper has only 30 matches as skipper under his belt.
But if you compare the two captains’ individual World Cup batting records, Du Plessis is miles ahead of Morgan.
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Morgan has represented England at three World Cups. He played 18 matches, scored 301 runs at an average of 17.70, and only managed two half-centuries in that time.
In two World Cups, Du Plessis has managed to score 539 runs at an average of 53.90, which includes four half-centuries and one century in 14 games. There is no doubt who is the better batsman when it comes to this event.
Both, however, will be judged on how they marshal their troops in what is poised to be a thrilling clash in front of a packed crowd in London. And of course, with how many runs they contribute with the bat.
READ: CWC ’19 opener: 3 key England players
Photo: Supplied by ICC
