South African captain Faf du Plessis won the toss against England in the first match of the ICC World Cup 2019 and chose to bowl first.
The inaugural match of the tournament is being played at the Oval in London.
South Africa are missing star fast bowler Dale Steyn due to a shoulder injury. Du Plessis, at the toss, said that he is yet to regain full fitness.
England captain Eoin Morgan asserted that his team is one of the favourites in the tournament. “All the work that's been done, it's been a collective drive, I much prefer going into the World Cup as favourites," he said confirming that all-rounder Joffra Archer would be making his World Cup debut.
Teams
South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Jean-Paul Duminy, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir
England: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan(c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler(w), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid