Australia-South Africa abandoned due to rain

South Africa moved to 12 points, one ahead of Australia on 11 with the West Indies on eight.

England are set to reach West Indies on February 22 for a 15-day tour, and have been scheduled to play two warm-up matches in St Kitts before the first ODI, slated for March 3 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

Australia is at second spot with nine points and home team West Indies dropped to last place following 139-run defeat against South Africa.

They seemed to be finding their touch at Warner Park when they chased down Australia’s 265 to win by four wickets, but the inconsistency returned to haunt them in their following game as they crashed to 204 all out in pursuit of South Africa’s 343. It was a clear indication of Australia’s ploy to bolster their pace attack, keeping in mind the surface on offer at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. Should Australia win the match, they will qualify for the final. This is Australia’s first one-dayer at the venue since that final with its bad-light fiasco. The Australians appear confident that Smith will play but if he were to miss out, George Bailey would likely captain the side.

“I know it’s all precautionary and he’ll be ready to go for Sunday’s clash”.

“Barbados, I’ve been told, is a better batting wicket with a bit more bounce”.

Steven Smith announced three changes, with Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland replacing Travis Head, Adam Zampa and Nathan Coulter-Nile.

The game was AB de Villiers’ 200th ODI for South Africa but he failed to face a single ball.