ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: England vs South Africa past encounters

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is finally here and hosts England take on South Africa in the opening game of the tournament at The Oval. While England has made it to the World Cup finals three times, South Africa has been knocked out in the semi-final stage four times. Both teams have never won the World Cup title and this gives them the perfect opportunity to break the jinx. England and South Africa have clashed in the World Cup six times with both teams winning three times each. While England won their first two encounters in 1992, South Africa bounced back and won three consecutive games before losing to England in the 2011 World Cup encounter in Chennai. Here are the past World Cup encounters between England and South Africa.

Game 1: England vs South Africa, 1992 World Cup, Melbourne

Result: England won

This was the first-ever encounter between England and South Africa on the grand stage. Kepler Wessels, the South Africa captain, hammered 85 and was well-supported by Andrew Hudson’s 79. The 151-run opening stand put South Africa on course for a big total but England fought back and restricted the Proteas to 236/4. In response, rain intervened in the England innings and the match was reduced to 41 overs with a revised target of 226. Alec Stewart hammered 77 but Neil Fairbrother’s 75 and a cameo of 33 from 29 balls from Chris Lewis helped England cross the line by three wickets.

Game 2: England vs South Africa, 1992 World Cup semi-final, Sydney

Result: England won

England and South Africa clashed in the semi-final of the tournament. The rain reduced the match to 45 overs and South Africa chose to bowl. Graeme Hick flayed the bowling to smash 83. Dermott Reeve and Chris Lewis’ cameos helped England reach 252/6. In response, South Africa made decent progress thanks to Andrew Hudson’s 46 and a 38-ball 43 from Jonty Rhodes. With South Africa needing 22 off 13 balls, the rain intervened and after a delay, the target needed for South Africa was 22 runs off one ball. It was a farcical exit for the Proteas on their readmission back to international cricket.

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Game 3: England vs South Africa, 1996 World Cup, Rawalpindi

Result: South Africa won

South Africa finally got their revenge against England in the 1996 World Cup clash held in Rawalpindi. Solid contributions from the South Africa batsmen helped them reach 230/6 and England were blown away by the pace and discipline of Allan Donald, Fanie de Villiers, Craig Matthews and Pat Symcox as they were bowled out for 152 to lose by 78 runs.

Game 4: England vs South Africa, 1999 World Cup, Kennington Oval

Result: South Africa won

Herschelle Gibbs blasted 60 and they were boosted by a brilliant knock from Lance Klusener, who hammered 48 off 40 balls. In response, England simply could not handle the fielding brilliance of Gibbs and Jonty Rhodes. Allan Donald took 4/17 and was well supported by Steve Elworthy and Jacques Kallis as England were bowled out for 103, losing by 122 runs.

Game 5: England vs South Africa, 2007 World Cup, Barbados

Result: South Africa won

Andrew Hall and Andre Nel decimated the England batting in the super-eight encounter in the 2007 World Cup. Hall took 5/18 and Nel chipped in with three wickets and England was bundled out for 154. Graeme Smith’s 89 off 54 balls ensured the chase would be smooth and South Africa won by nine wickets.

Game 6: England vs South Africa, 2011 World Cup, Chennai

Result: England won

In a low-scoring tie on a pitch assisting pace and spin, England was boosted by a solid 52 from Jonathan Trott and a gritty 60 from Ravi Bopara. For South Africa, Imran Tahir was the star with 4/38 and Robin Peterson taking 3/22. England reached 171 but they put up a fight. South Africa lost wickets at regular intervals and Stuart Broad’s 4/15 gave England a tense six-run win.

HIGHLIGHTS

• England and South Africa have played six times in ICC Cricket World Cup.
• Both England and South Africa have won three games apiece.
• England won their last encounter against South Africa in the 2011 World Cup.