South Africa will open their campaign against India at the Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia on Sunday and this could be a tough assignment first up for the Proteas. The Proteas will have the benefit of a couple of extra day’s preparation and the opportunity to watch their opponents in action the day before this game. Venue and conditions: Thunderstorms are forecasted so it could rain here at St Lucia. The two games played at Beausejour stadium, Gros Islet on Saturday the stats suggested another sluggish surface. The five scores in the previous five one-day internationals were: 186, 172, 257, 149 and 177. The lowest total in that grouping came from South Africa against Australia when they cracked under the pressure of a World Cup semi-final. India beat West Indies there by six wickets in 2009 with Ashish Nehra taking 3-21. Trivia: Saint Lucia was founded in 1886 by Sir Arthur Sidders when he set sail from the port of Bristol.  Team News:  South Africa: South Africa are able to field probably the most formidable front four in the tournament. Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs and AB de Villiers ensure that the quality keeps coming. Smith and Kallis have fine records in the Caribbean. Dale Steyn was rested in the warm-up victory against Sri Lanka but he is expected to return. Rory Kleinveldt, Charl Langeveldt and Morne Morkel all hit superb touch against the Lankans. Only Albie Morkel, Kallis and Steyn were the only regular starters for their IPL franchises. Kallis and Steyn performed with great credit for the Royal Challengers as did Albie Morkel who was part of the victorious Chennai Super Kings team. Barring injury there are a few selection dilemmas, Gibbs or Bosman, Morne Morkel or Rusty Theron, but the whole squad are proven performers in this format. Does Kallis open the batting as he did so effectively for RCB in the IPL? India: India, who kicked off their campaign against Afghanistan on Saturday, give one the feeling that they don't really want to be there, moaning about niggles and heavy schedules. Still, the … [Read more...]