South Africa, West Indies start new one-day era

Shai Hope featured for the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League this season – AFP

EAST LONDON, AFP: South Africa have a new coach and the West Indies a new Captain as they start a three-match one-day international series at Buffalo Park in East London on Thursday.

Proteas coach Rob Walter and West Indian Captain Shai Hope will both be seeking a winning formula at the beginning of a crucial period for both teams in the lead-up to the Cricket World Cup in India in October and November.

Neither South Africa nor West Indies are guaranteed a place in cricket’s showpiece event as they languish in eighth and nine places on the International Cricket Council’s World Cup Super League.

The top eight teams qualify automatically for the World Cup ‒ the rest will have to survive a qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe in June and July.

South Africa can overtake the West Indies ‒ and both could be trumped by Sri Lanka ‒ as the Super League comes to an end early next month.

The series starting on Thursday will not count towards qualification as it falls outside the Super League program.

Both teams will be much-changed from the sides that played in a Test series won 2-0 by South Africa.