A lashing downpour stopped play after one over in the Tri-Nations match between South Africa and Australia in Barbados.
Quinton de Kock had taken five off Mitchell Starc’s first over, which, with the addition of three wides, had give the Proteas eight runs. The match can be delayed an hour before the overs start getting docked, but Barbados has good drainage.
AB de Villiers, playing in his 200th ODI for the Proteas, had been asked to bat first against Australia in Barbados.
The Kensington Oval plays host to the final stretch of the Tri-Nation series, and a win here for the Proteas will confirm their spot in the final come 26 June.
De Villiers’ charges were back to somewhere close to their best in Wednesday’s 139-run victory over West Indies, and it left all three teams on two wins apiece. Both the Proteas’ wins in this series have gained bonus points, which put them at the top, and a win of any variety from either of their last two games will ensure a top-two finish.
Australia, missing the services of explosive opener David Warner through injury, bring paceman Mitchell Starc back into the side as he continues his return from injury, while Glenn Maxwell also returns to the fold, after being dropped for the previous two games. Scott Boland also features as Travis Head, Adam Zampa and Nathan Coulter Nile miss out.
South Africa have made one change and Tabriz Shamsi, who had a good game against the Windies, makes way for Morne Morkel, who will look to make the most out of a pace-friendly deck in what is his first game of the series.
De Villiers: ‘I would have bowled first as well. I am not too disappointed, though, and we have a nice opportunity to prove that we are a world-class batting unit. It is a privilege to represent South Africa. A lot to play for today, and it’s a fresh start.’
Australia: Usman Khawaja, Aaron Finch, Steve Smith (capt), George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Starc, James Faulkner, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood.
South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (capt), JP Duminy, Farhaan Behardien, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir.
Picture: AFP
