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Cape Town - Proteas batsman Hashim Amla believes that the injuries plaguing the Proteas in the ongoing ODI series against Bangladesh comes as a "blessing" leading up to the 2019 World Cup.
The Proteas have several players who want one last crack at the World Cup trophy in 2019.
READ: CWC 2019: Proteas' plans falling apart?
However, this could prove a problem for the Proteas future plans once these stalwarts plan to retire.
This problem has somehow been justified over the current injuries of star Proteas, including Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell and Chris Morris. Their absence has allowed the likes of Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo and Kimberley debutant Dane Paterson to don the green and gold in the one-day format.
Amla, who scored an unbeaten century to take the Proteas to victory in the first ODI, was upbeat over the Proteas' World Cup plans and says that the recent injuries have strengthened their team leading up 2019 World Cup in England.
"Looking forward to the 2019 World Cup, there's a big squad that's probably going to be involved in that," Amla told reporters in Kimberley on Sunday.
"Having a look and with the other guys are injured, you know in a way it's sort of a blessing to the team because they (the youngsters) get experience.
"So when those guys come back and they're hungry - you've got guys on the wings who are well experienced and have played in big matches, which becomes extremely important," said Amla.
"You can see how well Dwaine (Pretorius) has done, obviously KG (Kagiso Rabada) has been around, Andile (Phehlukwayo), (Dane) Paterson made his debut. It's super important to let those guys get some game time and develop that confidence in their international cricketing career."
The second ODI between South Africa and Bangladesh gets underway at 10:00 on Wednesday at Boland Park.
Proteas ODI squad for Bangladesh:
Faf du Plessis (Titans, captain), Hashim Amla (Cape Cobras), Temba Bavuma (Cape Cobras), Farhaan Behardien (Titans), Quinton de Kock (Titans), AB de Villiers (Titans), JP Duminy (Cape Cobras), Imran Tahir (Dolphins), David Miller (Knights), Wayne Parnell (Cape Cobras), Dane Paterson (Cape Cobras), Andile Phehlukwayo (Dolphins), Dwaine Pretorius (Highveld Lions), Kagiso Rabada (Highveld Lions)
