It’s time to taste the experimented formula for the upcoming 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia later this month, which were the words of South Africa head coach Ottis Gibson when asked about their preparation for the mega 50-over event in England.

He told reporters that their short limited overs tour of Australia would be a crucial part of the build-up to the World Cup 2019 after rain washed out South Africa’s final T20 International against Zimbabwe in Benoni on Sunday (October 14).

Gibson said, “We want to go there with an attitude of trying to win. The squad that we pick will reflect that and reflect our feeling on the formula and the way we want to play cricket.”

The head coach also confirmed that Hashim Amla would miss the Australia series with a finger injury, while hinted at the inclusion of the veteran bowlers Dale Steyn and Imran Tahir in the squad. He also lauded fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi but has a special mention for Steyn.

He further added on the same, “I know what Rabada and Ngidi can do but for me, the real excitement was watching Dale Steyn bowling in the second game in Bloemfontein. It was fantastic to see him back to that level again, bowling quickly with that skill and accuracy.”

Noteworthy, South Africa are scheduled to host Pakistan and Sri Lanka for the five-match One Day International series after three-match series in Australia.

Gibson signed off by saying, “There are a lot of guys we have in our thoughts who will be in the squad to Australia. For the last 12 months, we have been looking at players. In the next couple of months, the players have been told that the window is closing all the time. In those series, we want to be focusing on a core of 17 to 18 players we will be looking at.”

(Input: Agence France-Presse)