CAPE TOWN: New South Africa captain Quinton de Kock says facing world champions England will be just like playing any other team as they prepare for the three-match One-day International series starting here at Newlands on Tuesday.

South Africa are seeking to rebuild after a disastrous World Cup in England last year in which the hosts claimed the trophy in thrilling fashion with victory over New Zealand in the final.

This will be England’s first match since the decider at Lord’s in July.

“It is just like playing any other team,” De Kock told reporters on Monday. “Just because you have a World Cup doesn’t change anything. It is still the normal England team we will play against. I remember last time they came here [in 2016] we did pretty well and won the series. So it doesn’t really matter if they are World Cup winners or not. It is the same as if we are playing Australia, India, Bangladesh, or whoever.”

South Africa have struggled in both the ODI and Test formats in the last 12 months, and while there could be a certain amount of experimentation as they begin a new cycle to the 2023 World Cup, while de Kock says most important is to get a series win.

“We have new guys that have come in and they bring a lot of energy. We have guys who will potentially make their debut, so the team is very excited,” he said. “We are in a rebuilding phase and we are looking forward to the next World Cup squad. We want to give the opportunities to youngsters and help them grow as cricketers.

“But for this series, we just want to win. There is a lot of time to give opportunities, but for us right now it is better to get a series win, just for the morale of the team.”

England have rested Ben Stokes, arguably the world’s best all-rounder, but de Kock says there is still much quality in the squad.

“It’s always nice not to have to play against Ben Stokes, but they still have quality players,” he said. “There are World Cup winners that are part of the squad and they have also got exciting young players. To start off with a win would be great for the team environment and the boys seem to be up for it.”

Both teams have made numerous changes from the squads that played in the global event between May and July last year.

Only eight of England’s winning squad will be in action, while South Africa, the first team to be eliminated from World Cup semi-final contention, have retained only five players.

Eoin Morgan has been widely praised for his leadership of the England team, while de Kock is something of an unknown quantity in charge of South Africa after the selectors decided to ‘rest’ Faf du Plessis from this series.

Interim director of cricket Graeme Smith said recently that de Kock would have an extended run as captain of the one-day side with du Plessis expected to quit international cricket later this year — long before the next World Cup in 2023.

Apart from being captain, de Kock is by far the most experienced batsman in what seems a largely experimental squad. To reduce his responsibilities, a second wicket-keeper in Kyle Verreynne has been chosen and will probably make his international debut at some stage in the series.

Apart from Stokes, the hard-hitting Jos Buttler and fast bowlers Jofra Archer and Mark Wood were also given this series off after being part of the World Cup-winning team and playing in the recently-finished Test series, with Archer subsequently ruled out because of injury.

Among those with a chance to win longer-term one-day exposure are seam bowler Saqib Mahmood, leg-spinner Matt Parkinson and Test all-rounder Sam Curran, who joins his brother Tom in the squad.

South Africa have lost a slew of players to retirement or non-selection, including du Plessis, Hashim Amla, J.P. Duminy and Imran Tahir, while fast bowler Kagiso Rabada was given an overdue rest from a series after being virtually ever-present for South Africa in the past three years.

Janneman Malan, younger brother of Test opener Pieter, is regarded as one of the country’s most exciting young players, as is Verreynne, while Temba Bavuma, having become a marginal player for the Test side, could get an extended run in the one-day team.

Lungi Ngidi was hailed as a potential fast bowling star when he made a match-winning Test debut against India two seasons ago — but injuries and lack of fitness have held him back. He had to prove his fitness for this series and made a successful return for the Titans franchise in a domestic one-day match on Friday. Lutho Sipamla is another exciting prospect and South Africa will be hoping the two young bowlers start a steep upward curve over the next three matches.

Teams:

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (captain), Temba Bavuma, Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Sisanda Magala, Janneman Malan, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lutho Sipamla, Jon-Jon Smuts, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne.

England: Eoin Morgan (captain), Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy, Joe Root, Moeen Ali, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Chris Jordan, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Matt Parkinson, Adil Rashid, Chris Woakes.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2020