*** TOSS AT 11:00 ***
The toss at The Oval is expected to take place at 11:00 (SA time) with the first ball due to be bowled at 11:30.
DID YOU KNOW?
Should he be selected to today's match, IMRAN TAHIR will becomes South Africa's oldest ever Cricket World Cup player.
Currently that honour belongs to Omar Henry who was 40 years and 39 days when he was picked to play against Sri Lanka in Wellington at the 1992 World Cup.
Tahir's age as of today, May 30, 2019?
40 years and 64 days
WHAT DO THE BOOKIES SAY?
It will be a comfortable victory for England if leading SA bookmakers Sportingbet are to be believed...
The hosts are available at 11/25, while South Africa can be backed at 7/4
I think I'll have a little bit of the underdog, thanks...
WHO ARE THE PROTEAS PLAYING - AND WHEN?
Save this infographic!
Sport24's Lynn Butler did a wonderful job creating it!
CWC 2019 TOUR DIARIES: AN IMPROMPTU OVAL NET AND THE 'C-WORD'
Did anyone say "chokers" ... ?
CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS
Faf du Plessis will be a key player for the Proteas today - and throughout the tournament
STAT ATTACK
This will be South Africa's EIGHTH World Cup.
In the seven previous tournament, the Proteas have been knocked out in the semi-finals on four occasions, the quarter-finals twice and in 2003 they failed to progress from the group phase.
In 2003 the tournament was held in South Africa...
HERSCHELLE GIBBS WITH WISE WORDS
"Play with freedom and without pressure" says former Proteas star, Gibbs.
KP CHOOSES ENGLAND OVER SA ... AGAIN!
No doubting which side SA-born England batsman Kevin Pietersen is backing in today's match...
SPORT24 IN THE UK
Sport24's very own Lloyd Burnard is in the United Kingdom - south London to be precise - for today's opener against England.
Lloyd sat down with The Telegraph's Nick Hoult ahead of the tournament opener.
FAF ON DALE
What Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis had to say about the absence of Dale Steyn...
Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis on going into Thursday's CWC opener without the services of Dale Steyn and how it impacts on the side's balance @Sport24news pic.twitter.com/yxoBkkbS3N
— Lloyd Burnard (@LloydBurnard) May 29, 2019
PROTEAS SQUAD
With Dale Steyn a non-starter which XI of the remaining 14 players will coach Ottis Gibson select?
Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, JP Duminy, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir
NO STEYN-REMOVER
The Proteas will be without Dale Steyn for the clash as the veteran fast bowler continues to recover from a should injury
MEETING THE QUEEN
The 10 Cricket World Cup skippers all had an audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace this week...
WHAT FAF SAID ...
Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis says "It's time for cricket to do the talking".
WELCOME TO ...
LIVE scoring and interactive commentary from the opening match of the 2019 Cricket World Cup between hosts England and South Africa at the Oval in London.
THE WAITING IS OVER! THE DAY HAS ARRIVED!
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