World Cup 2019: Favourites England and South Africa clash in opener

Eoin Morgan's side boast of the most dominant batting unit in 50-over cricket and their bowling too oozes the firepower few teams can rival.

World Cup 2019: Favourites England and South Africa clash in opener

Jofra Archer and Eoin Morgan

England, who are still in search of their first trophy like South Africa, have risen from the ashes of their poor campaign in the showpiece last time, following that group-stage exit by ascending to the summit of the ICC ODI rankings.

Eoin Morgan's side boast of the most dominant batting unit in 50-over cricket and their bowling too oozes the firepower few teams can rival.

Such has been England's dominance that their 4-0 whitewash of Pakistan earlier this summer meant the Three Lions haven't lost a multi-game series for two-and-a-half years.

In the warm-up games, England faltered in their first outing losing to fellow title contenders Australia before chalking up an easy win over lesser lights Afghanistan.

But other teams would very well know that these matches mean little when it comes to tournament proper where the English bat as deep as anyone with the likes of Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy boasting the highest strike-rates of any openers in ODI history to have posted more than 1,000 runs, yet still have the highest average of any pair topping the order in the competition.

Joe Root is one of the world's best batters in all formats with skipper Morgan, in-form Jos Buttler, all-rounder Ben Stokes following him to lead a talent-laden cast of cricketers.

Here are how fans on Twitter are prepping up for the World Cup 2019 opener:

The #CWC19 Starts today

1st Match : England vs South Africa u00f0u009fu008fu008f
Venue : The Oval, London At 2:30 PM u00f0u009fu0095u009d.Which team will win today pic.twitter.com/O57Qdj3Mm4
— Muhammad Noman (@Nomancricket29) May 29, 2019

I'm volunteering at the World Cup Cricket at the Oval Ground tomorrow for England vs South Africa. Have you done any volunteering? Let's see you in your uniforms then... #ICCWorldCup2019 #lovesport #ilovecricket #EnglandandWales #Englandcricket pic.twitter.com/fBPD59sXwW
— PJ Skinner (@PJSkinnerAuthor) May 29, 2019

u00f0u009fu0097u0093u00efu00b8u008f 30th May
u00f0u009fu008fu009fu00efu00b8u008f The Oval
u00f0u009fu008fu00b4u00f3u00a0u0081u00a7u00f3u00a0u0081u00a2u00f3u00a0u0081u00a5u00f3u00a0u0081u00aeu00f3u00a0u0081u00a7u00f3u00a0u0081u00bf England vs South Africa

u00f0u009fu0098u008d The opening match of the World Cup and 45 days of ODI cricket. pic.twitter.com/knBiTAU4fj
— Cricket For All (@CricketForAlI) May 29, 2019

My picks

Winners: u00f0u009fu0087u00aeu00f0u009fu0087u00b3
Dark-horse pick: West Indies
Player of the Tournament: JJ Bumrah
Breakout young talent: Ngidi
Match you're eagerly awaiting: India vs England
One thing you're looking forward to at #CWC19: D/L scenarios for South Africa as the tournament evolves
— Eshan Sett (@eshansett) May 30, 2019

Ready to support @OfficialCSA #Proteas vs England at the Oval today.
Come on South Africa !!! u00f0u009fu0092u009a
_______#iccworldcup2019 #cricket #worldcup #ENGvSA #love #sport #england #southafrica #ProteaFire pic.twitter.com/qAVaFTiKMY
— John Owens MrSA 2014 (@MrSAJohnOwens) May 30, 2019