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West Indies tour of South Africa
One Day International Format
1st ODI
South Africa v West Indies
Buffalo Park
East London, South Africa
Thursday, 16 March 2023
South Africa and West Indies clash in the
One Day International format for the first time since the 2019 World Cup when the three-match series gets underway at Buffalo Park on Thursday, March 16.
Their World Cup tie in Southampton, England ended up being abandoned after just 7.3 overs due to rain and one would have to go back another three years for the last ODI series between the two teams.
On that occasion the Windies triumphed 2-1 on home soil, with the Proteas having won the previous series in South Africa 4-1 a year earlier in 2015.
South Africa beat reigning ODI world champions England 2-1 most recently as they kicked off 2023 on a winning note. Temba Bavuma was the Proteas' leading run scorer in the series, with his 109 off 102 balls in the second ODI the pick of his three innings.
With Kagiso Rabada not included in the ODI squad, Lungi Ngidi will be looking to step up with the ball after finishing as the leading wicket taker against England with five dismissals in his two games.
West Indies were last in action against New Zealand in August 2022 when they lost 2-1 in a home series - their second defeat on the spin after going down 3-0 to India a month prior.
Jason Holder was the pick of the bowlers against the Black Caps with seven wickets, while Kyle Mayers' 105 in the third ODI was the highlight in the batting department.
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Keshav Maharaj has been forced to withdraw from the Proteas' ODI squad after rupturing his Achilles tendon in the second Test while celebrating the wicket of Kyle Mayers.
Test coach Shukri Conrad admitted the signs weren't promising and Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed that Maharaj would undergo surgery on Monday after MRI scans revealed the extent of the injury.
"Keshav's injury was the one downside to this game and it doesn't look good," Conrad said, with the Proteas Men Twitter account adding: "Wishing you everything of the best in your recovery Kesh."
Tabraiz Shamsi has replaced Maharaj in the squad, while Wayne Parnell comes in for Wiaan Mulder, who suffered a grade one side strain.
Meanwhile, Shannon Gabriel returns to the fold for the West Indies after a four-year absence, having last featured at the 2019 World Cup. There is also a recall for Roston Chase following injuries to Anderson Phillip and Jayden Seales recently.
"We have had some injuries to our fast-bowling pool, so therefore we see Gabriel as an ideal fit heading into South Africa, and the surfaces we expect to play on," West Indies' lead selector Desmond Haynes said.
"It is felt that we need someone to get those early wickets and he is the kind of bowler that can do that. Judging from his performances in the CG United Super50 Cup, he is potentially a wicket-taking option up front."
Head-to-Head (ODI)
Matches - 62
South Africa - 44
West Indies - 15
No result - 2
Tied - 1
ODI Team Rankings
6 - South Africa
10 - West Indies
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