A beleagured South Africa will face West Indies at Hampshire Bowl in Southampton on Monday. It is a must-win match for South Africa to keep their semi-final chances alive as they have lost all the three games that they have played in the tournament so far.
West Indies, on the other hand, are better positioned, looking confident with a remarkable win against Pakistan and a loss against Australia in a hard-fought battle. However, West Indies cannot afford to take the Proteas lightly on Monday. As former Windies captain and two-time world cup winner Clive Lloyd warned, South Africa is in danger of missing out on the top four if they lose and hence, will be putting up their best show yet in Monday's match.
The top-order batsmen will have to step up their performance against South Africa. Despite the West Indies bowling rattling the Australians and giving them an upper hand in the first innings in the last match, the batsmen were seen struggling before the latter's pace attack. While the South African pace attack is a weaker one with Dale Steyn ruled out of the World Cup and Lungi Ngidi nursing his injury, the Proteas cannot be sidelined completely.
West Indies will need to improve in all departments to have any chance of emerging victorious against South Africa.
South Africa's woes are far more serious. They lack a toothless pace attack and their batsmen are yet to rise up to expectations. The Proteas will surely expect a sound start from openers Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla, who are yet to put up an impressive show.
Meanwhile, South Africa have won four of the six World Cup matches they have played against West Indies.
