With the highly anticipated ICC ODI World Cup 2023 on the horizon, cricket enthusiasts worldwide are eagerly counting down the days until the tournament’s commencement on October 5 in India. As part of the prelude to this prestigious event, the organizing committee has scheduled two warm-up matches for each participating nation. These practice encounters are designed to help teams acclimate to the Indian conditions and fine-tune their strategies ahead of the grand spectacle.
The warm-up fixtures hold immense importance as they offer teams the chance to assess their strengths, experiment with different combinations, and adapt to the unique challenges posed by Indian pitches and weather conditions. With the cricketing world’s attention firmly fixed on these preparatory games, the anticipation and excitement are palpable.
On September 29, the spotlight will shine brightly on the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram as South Africa and Afghanistan lock horns in the second warm-up fixture of the tournament. This encounter promises to provide a captivating preview of the intense competition expected in the World Cup.
ODI Stats and Records at Greenfield International Stadium:
- Total matches: 2
- Matches won batting first: 1
- Matches won bowling first: 1
- Average first innings score: 247
- Average second innings score: 89
- Highest total recorded: 390/5 (50 Ov) by India
- Lowest total recorded: 73/10 (22 Ov) by Sri Lanka
- Highest score chased: 105/1 (14.5 Ov) by India
- Lowest score defended: 390/5 (50 Ov) by India
Also READ: ODI World Cup 2023 – Warm-up fixtures full schedule; When and Where to watch in India, US, UK, and other countries
Greenfield International Stadium Pitch report:
The playing surface at Greenfield International Stadium is renowned for its bowler-friendly characteristics, with spinners enjoying a significant advantage, particularly during the second innings as the pitch tends to dry out further. To date, this venue has hosted just two One Day Internationals (ODIs).
Thiruvananthapuram Weather Forecast:
Conditions in Thiruvananthapuram are far from favorable for outdoor activities. Anticipate continuous thundershowers throughout the day, accompanied by a 100% chance of precipitation. The temperature is projected to remain at approximately 28 degrees Celsius, accompanied by a high humidity level of around 86%, while the wind is expected to blow at a speed of 13 kilometers per hour.
SA vs AFG, playing XI, 2nd warm-up game:
South Africa: Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (c), David Miller, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Quinton de Kock (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada
Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Najibullah Zadran, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rashid Khan