Published 20:42 IST, October 1st 2023
WATCH: South African players crack up and stutter while pronouncing Thiruvananthapuram
Despite their limited success at World Cups, South Africa are considered to be one of the serious contenders In ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
The ICC Cricket World Cup is knocking on the door as India is gearing up for the cricketing festival. 10 venues across the country have been chosen that will be conducting the World Cup matches. England will renew their rivalry with New Zealand in the opening fixture at the Narendra Modi Stadium on 5th October.
3 things you need to know
- South Africa will face Sri Lanka in their opening game
- The World Cup will commence on 5th October, 2023
- The Proteas are yet to lay their hands on their first ICC trophy
South African players engaged in a healthy banter ahead of New Zealand game
All ten teams have arrived in India and have been putting through their paces ahead of the mega event. Despite their limited success at World Cups, South Africa are considered to be one of the serious contenders in this edition. The Temba Bavuma-led team has some brilliant match winners with the likes of Kagiso Rabada, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen and Quinton de Kock.
Also Read: ODI World Cup 2023: South Africa cricket team's full squad and complete schedule for WC 23
The Proteas will face New Zealand in a warm-up tie at Thiruvananthapuram on 2nd October in a bid to get themselves acclimatised to the condition. Ahead of the match, the players were seen in a cheerful avatar as they tried to pronounce 'Thiruvananthapuram' in the right way.
Most of the players got it wrong as a few handfuls with the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj and Lungi Ngidi managed to spell out the Kerala city perfectly.
South Africa full schedule for the upcoming World Cup
- October 7, 2 PM: South Africa v Sri Lanka (Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi)
- October 12, 2 PM: South Africa v Australia (Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow)
- October 17, 2 PM: South Africa v Netherlands (Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala)
- October 21, 2 PM: South Africa v England (Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai)
- October 24, 2 PM: South Africa v Bangladesh (Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai)
- October 27, 2 PM: South Africa v Pakistan (MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai)
- November 1, 2 PM: South Africa v New Zealand (Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Gahunje, Pune)
- November 5, 2 PM: South Africa v India (Eden Gardens, Kolkata)
- November 10, 2 PM: South Africa v Afghanistan (Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad)
Updated 20:42 IST, October 1st 2023