South Africa Vs West Indies 1st Odi 16 March 2023

1st ODI • Buffalo Park • East London

South Africa

West Indies

Match Abandoned

Match Abandoned Due To Rain

Info

Fantasy

Live

Scorecard

Stats

Player of the Series Johnson Charles

Match has not started yet

Match Info

Date & Time

16 Mar, 04:30 PM IST

Venue

Buffalo Park, East London

Match

1st ODI,

West Indies tour of South Africa

Umpires

Adrian Holdstock (South Africa), Marais Erasmus (South Africa), Allahudien Paleker (South Africa, TV)

Referee

Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)

Toss

Toss yet to take Place

Player of the Series Johnson Charles

Commentary

That's all from our coverage of this first ODI between South Africa and West Indies! This is Soumarya Dutta, signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Pradeep! See you soon.

Right so, it was a game that the people of East London were eagerly waiting for, but the weather gods had other ideas as they played an absolute spoilsport! It had been raining cats and dogs from the morning today and the weather showed no signs of getting better. There were the occasional periods in between when the rain receded but the dark clouds kept hovering around, meaning that the downpour came back every now and then. Both the sides would have been keen to get on to the park and get the first win under their belts in the 3 match series but seems like their wait will continue till the next game! The only positive thing for South Africa is that these games are not being counted for the ODI Super league so they won't be loosing out on crucial game points.

Update: 08:15pm (4:45pm local time): Alright, the inevitable has happened. The match has been called off. There was absolutely no play possible with rain having a final say to it.

Update 07:53 pm IST (4:23 pm local time): It's been that kind of a day, it has been raining since morning and there's no break for that. We're possibly getting close to a phase where the game will be called off. Let's wait for the official word from the middle!

Game should be abandoned soon here at Buffalo Park. The rain has persisted throughout the day. The covers are still on. #SAvWI pic.twitter.com/CEhJaZzYAl
— Philasande Sixaba (@psixaba) March 16, 2023

Update 19:10 PM IST - The covers are still firmly in place and it's still pretty dark out there at the Buffalo Park! The chances of getting a game are diminishing with the passage of time here.

While we wait for the rain to subside in East London. Some exciting news from Nepal, who beat UAE to reach the ICC World Cup Qualifiers! They've managed to win 11 out of the 12 games when their backs was against the wall, tremendous achievement this!

Nepal have qualified for ICC ODI World Cup qualifiers.#NEPvUAE #NEPvsUAE pic.twitter.com/QarQPeRxpk
— Drink Cricket 🏏 (@Abdullah__Neaz) March 16, 2023

Update 06:19 pm IST (2:49 pm local time): There's no news, that means it's still raining. It's only getting frustrated for the fans and everyone out there. Stay tuned as we bring further on this!

Update 05:25 pm IST (1:55 pm local time): That's just not looking good, it has become quite dark out there. However, the rain has stopped which is good news but looking at the below picture, it might start pelting down any minute.

Not raining now at Buffalo Park. But very dark. #SAvsWI #SAvWI pic.twitter.com/mIvrk87hoW
— Shadab Ali 🇮🇳🏏 (@realshadabali) March 16, 2023

Update 05:10 pm IST (1:40 pm local time): Situation is just not getting improved at the Buffalo Park. Even if the rain subsides it's going to take time for the groundsmen to clean up the water logged on the ground.

Still Raining at Buffalo Park….. #SAvsWI #SAvWI pic.twitter.com/TNw9QoQxkZ
— Shadab Ali 🇮🇳🏏 (@realshadabali) March 16, 2023

Update - 16:50 PM IST ( 1:52 PM, Local Time)- Seems like we finally have some good news as the rain has eased off and the ground staff are removing the covers! We're likely to have a ground inspection soon, post which a call will be taken for the toss and the start of the game.

Update 03:57 pm IST (12:57 pm local time): The official word is out, the start of the first ODI has been delayed. However, the news isn't great either that it has been bucketing down in Buffalo Park!

The toss and start of the first Betway ODI have been delayed due to persistent rain 🌧️

🗒 Ball by ball https://t.co/KNz7vLG39F
📺 SuperSport Grandstand 201 and SABC 3#SAvWI #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/jS5jQsgIcI
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) March 16, 2023

This is not great scenes from Buffalo Park. We've been hearing news that, it has been raining incessantly and only if the rain subsides there's likely going to be a game. Stay tuned as we bring you the latest from the middle!

Not looking good for much cricket in East London today.

Would be a tremendous shame after how long they have waited for an ODI.#SAvWI https://t.co/An3c7mjf8U
— 🏏Flashscore Cricket Commentators (@FlashCric) March 16, 2023

Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's live coverage of the 1st ODI between South Africa and West Indies here in Buffalo Park, East Londoon! After having dominated the test series, South Africa now eye to clean sweep the ODI series too. West Indies though, have a lot to do as far as ODI series is concerned and South Africa in their own backyard are a tough one to beat. This is me, Pradeep and I'll shortly be joined by my dear friend and co-commentator Soumarya Dutta as we take you through everything transpires. While we build up to the game, have a look at the preview and the fantasy tips below!

Right then. After an entertaining Test match series, it's time for the white-ball series to take over. The series might not have much in context with the ICC ODI Super League being scrapped, but it is still a World Cup year. The series offers both sides a chance to figure out some things and work on them as they look to build towards the ultimate prize later this year.

With not much at stake in terms of the ICC Super League, South Africa have opted to rest a few of their players. Temba Bavuma will lead the side once more with no confirmed deputy, by the looks of it. He does have enough experience to rely on with Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen and Reeza Hendricks, even in the absence of Aiden Markram at the top.

Lower down the order, David Miller isn't a part of the squad either, so Tristian Stubbs has an opportunity to show what he's all about in the longer format. Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi could also get the nod in this series, giving them a good opportunity to stake a claim for their spot in the World Cup. There are a few things the new white-ball coach Rob Walter to work out on.

On the bowling front, there are significant absentees in the list with Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje not in the mix. Unfortunately, Keshav Maharaj suffered a freak injury and Wian Mulder has been ruled out too, with Wayne Parnell coming in for him. The Proteas still have enough in their ranks though, with Lungi Ngidi, Sisanda Magala, Lizaad Williams and Gerald Coetzee making up a solid pace unit that should be raring to go with Tabraiz Shamsi as their spinner.

West Indies, on the other hand, are heading into another series with a new captain. Nicholas Pooran stepped down as white-ball captain with Shai Hope taking up the leadership role and Rovman Powell staying as his deputy. The Men in Maroon will be searching for some inspiration under a new leadership group and an interim head coach.

The core group remains pretty much the same though. The captain stays at the top of the order and will be hoping to flourish in his leadership role, alongside Shamarh Brooks and Brandon King. West Indies have enough match-winners in their ranks with Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase and Rovman Powell, but all eyes will be on Nicholas Pooran. With the burden of captaincy off his shoulders, will we see the best of him again?

Bowling wise, Shannon Gabriel will be expected to lead the lineup alongside a bunch of bowling all-rounders that provide enough value. Holder and Mayers can chip in, of course, with the likes of Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein and Roston Chase. That gives the captain enough options, but he might have to redefine and work out who his go-to bowlers will be when the going gets tough.

So, as things stand, there isn't much to separate the two sides before the series gets underway. This might be a dead rubber of a series but neither side will want to give anything away as they look to build for the immediate future and beyond. With one eye on the World Cup, this could be just the kind of test they need to see where they stand in terms of their preparations.