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Proteas CWC crisis: A timeline of killer blows

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Faf du Plessis (Getty)
Faf du Plessis (Getty)

Southampton - It is hard to think of one thing that has gone well for South Africa since they landed on English shored for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. 

It has been a nightmarish week since losing to England in their tournament opener last Thursday, with a shocking loss to Bangladesh followed by defeat to India. 

It leaves the Proteas 0 from 3 and on the verge of a World Cup exit, with it widely accepted that they will need to win at least five and possibly all their next six matches. 

West Indies at the Rose Bowl on Monday is up next, and it is a fixture that South Africa simply must win if they are to keep their already slim tournament hopes alive. 

While they haven't played anywhere near well enough in England, the Proteas have also had rotten luck in terms of injuries and player availability. 

Here, we take a look back at all of the key events that have taken place since before the World Cup squad was announced back in April. 

March 20 - Fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje are ruled out of the IPL with injury.

April 18 - Proteas announce 15-man World Cup squad. Hashim Amla's inclusion is the major talking point, while inexperienced fast bowler Anrich Nortje is also selected.

April 25 - Dale Steyn is ruled out of the IPL after sustaining a shoulder injury while on duty for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. 

May 3 - Proteas ace Kagiso Rabada is recalled from the IPL after suffering a mild back strain while on duty for the Delhi Capitals. 

May 7 - Nortje, who has all but recovered from an ankle injury, is ruled out of the World Cup squad with a fractured thumb sustained during Proteas training. He is replaced in the squad by allrounder Chris Morris. 

May 19 - The Proteas depart for England.

May 31 - SA lose to England by 104 runs at The Oval. Steyn, who is still not fit, does not play. Amla receives a sickening blow to the grille of his helmet courtesy of Jofra Archer and it forced to leave the field. He returns later in the innings, but is ruled out of the side's next match against Bangladesh. 

June 2 - SA lose to Bangladesh by 21 runs. It is a major upset and a killer blow to their World Cup charge. Steyn is still not fit and misses out again, while Ngidi picks up a hamstring strain just four overs in and cannot bowl for the rest of the month. 

June 4 - Steyn is ruled out of the World Cup without playing a game after failing to recover from his shoulder injury. Beuran Hendricks is called up as a replacement. Ngidi is also ruled out of the India match.

June 5 - South Africa lose by 6 wickets to India at the Rose Bowl, leaving the 0 from 3 at the tournament. 

June 6 - Proteas are hit by a media storm when news breaks that AB de Villiers had made himself available for selection on the eve of the World Cup squad announcement, but CSA opted against choosing him. 

 

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