World Cup 2019: 3 challenges that South Africa face in their opening match against England

Cricket's biggest spectacle is less than a day away. The ICC World Cup has long been anticipated, and its return to England and Wales makes it all the more special.

A lot has changed since the last 50-over World Cup though. The 2015 World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand saw current hosts England exit after the first round of the tournament. While both the host nations made it to the final, India and South Africa were the other semifinalists - with the latter narrowly missing out on what could have been their first ever World Cup final.

Post their 2015 debacle, England - which has never the best one-day side - turned around their fortunes and how. They packed their batting lineup with power hitters, and even their number seven has the potential to smash a century on any given day. They have crossed scores of 300 and 400 more than any other team since the end of the last World Cup, and have been the most successful ODI team both home and away.

South Africa, at least on paper, are not the dangerous unit they once were. They were taken aback by two key retirements last year - those of AB De Villiers and Morne Morkel. They even conceded a home ODI series to India for the first time in history last year, losing by a margin of 1-5.

The Proteas, however, looked strong on their away tours to Sri Lanka and Australia later that year, and dominated most of their home season. With a decent run in the warm-ups leading up to the tournament, they seem ready for the challenge.

But they are up against the favorites for the tournament right off the bat. Here's a look at the challenges in store for them.

#1 England's batting

England have transformed themselves into a batting powerhouse like never before

England's never-ending batting lineup is as star studded as it gets. Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Jos Buttler and Eoin Morgan just make up the top order. Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali look threatening, as does the lower order containing the likes of Chris Woakes and Adil Rashid.

As I mentioned above, huge scores are guaranteed with England around. So don't be surprised if there are record totals in this tournament.

South Africa's biggest challenge would be starting their campaign without Dale Steyn, who is unavailable for the first match due to injury. Though the country has produced many talented bowlers including Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi in recent years, none of their seamers has the experience of bowling in the ICC Cricket World Cup.

Although Imran Tahir will be appearing in his third World Cup, the Proteas will miss the experience of stalwarts like Steyn as well as Morne Morkel, who retired from international cricket last year.

#2 England's spinners

Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali would relish bowling on the hard Oval wicket

The South Africans have not been the best players of spin, at least not in recent years. During their home series against India last year, the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal managed 33 scalps in just six ODIs.

While England are most likely to play two specialist spinners in the form of Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, even Joe Root penetrated through Afghanistan's batting order during their last warm up match, picking up three wickets.

The responsibility of dealing with the spinners will lie with the middle order trio of captain Faf du Plessis, JP Duminy and David Miller. But their top three will also have to adapt to spin if they are made to face it early on.

England's spinners took four wickets during their last warm up game at the Oval, the venue for tomorrow's match, so they will likely pose a strong threat to the South African batters.

#3 The conditions

The Oval

The weather in London on Thursday is expected to be cloudy and overcast. There are chances of rain, and South Africa will have to adapt to the challenges that come with the prospects of wet or damp conditions.

Their last warm-up match against the West Indies was washed out due to rain. But if they play smartly the way they did in another South Africa vs West Indies encounter during the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, they can still make the most of their chances.

Luck has not been on South Africa's side during World Cups, with the team failing to make it to the final even once in their first seven attempts. Other factors aside, rain hampered their chances during the 1992 as well as the 2003 World Cup.

In both the warm up matches played at the Oval, the team batting first failed to cross the 200-run mark. New Zealand and England had a great time against India and Afghanistan respectively, and the team winning the toss would be tempted to bowl first.

South Africa would be aware of all these factors, but adapting to the constantly changing weather and variable factors won't be easy.