Perennial underachievers South Africa who are known for failing to turn up in crucial ICC tournaments are desperate to end their chokers tag. While the quality of players representing South Africa has never seen any dip, it is just that they do not gel well in those crucial moments. Unexpected losses have often curtailed South African campaigns in the past, it will be interesting to see how the Proteas fair in the 2019 World Cup.  ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Schedule in PDF: Ticket Prices, Dates, Venue Details & Timetable Available for Download Online.

The format of the tournament also gives teams a chance to get over a loss or two early on in the tournament which can be a blessing for South Africa considering their past. Let us look at 30 players which will likely make the preliminary squad for the World Cup.

Faf Du Plessis: Fa Du Plessis is the rock in their middle order and the Proteas skipper in all probability is playing his last big competition. His leadership skills will be tested in England as South Africa go for the winner's medal.

Hashmi Amla: Dropped for the recent series against Sri Lanka, Hashim Amla should make a comeback in the team considering he is one of the most experienced batsmen in the 50 over format.

Reeza Hendricks: He has been playing consistently for the Proteas now and is capable of playing fast aggressive cricket with ease. He can be slotted in several positions in the batting order which makes him quite a handful.

David Miller: Left-handed batsman David Miller has been around for quite some time now and though he bats lower down the order where he often does not get many deliveries to face, his role is crucial. ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Warm-Up Matches Schedule: Check India’s Fixture Dates Against New Zealand and Bangladesh.

Rassie van der Dussen: Having scored three fifties in the 5 matches he has played for South Africa, he is certainly the player that selectors have a lot of confidence on.

Farhaan Behardien: Having not played a game for the Proteas for over a year, the prospect is not looking good for Farhaan Behardien but he had one enough in the past to make the probable list.

Temba Bavuma: He is one player that is doing well in the domestic circuit for South Africa but the lower conversion rate is overshadowing all his good work. Blessed with good technique and temperament, the Proteas can consider him an option.

Adam Makram: The young batsman has lacked consistency so far in his short career but the talented youngster is a pick for the preliminary squad. Pakistan Squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Here’s a Look at PAK Team’s Expected 30-Man Players List for the Mega Event in England.

JP Duminy: The veteran middle-order batsman is battling injury at the moment and needs to get back to full fitness in time if he wishes to play in the World Cup in 2019.

Christian Jonker: Jonker had a good 2018 and played well in the limited opportunities he got. He can be quite destructive coming lower down the order.

Khaya Zondo: Khaya Zondo has led the South African A team and is quite a useful batsman who is known for his patient batting in difficult situations.

Pieter Malan: The experienced cricketer has been quite a hit in domestic cricket but never played an international match which may cost him a place in the World Cup squad.

Quinton de Kock: South Africa’s first choice wicketkeeper is quite a destructive batsman and could be a key figure for the African side in England.

Heinrich Klassen: In addition to being a backup wicketkeeper, he can be in the team purely in terms of his batting skills. His ability to play spin also makes his case strong.

Dwaine Pretorius: More of a bowling all-rounder, Dwaine Pretorius can be handy lower order batsman who can also bowl his full quota of ten overs as the fifth bowler in the team.

Wian Mulder: Mulder averages close to 50 with the bat in domestic cricket but it is his bowling that has won him a place in the team in the recent series against Sri Lanka. It will be interesting to see if he is picked for the World Cup in England.

Chris Morris: On his day he is destructive with both bat and ball but must work on his consistency if he is to be a central figure in the team.

Imran Tahir: We all know his brilliant celebration when taking a wicket and Tahir remains one of the few world class spinners in the South African rank. He has to be more of an attacking option for South Africa in England and not just contain batsmen.

Tabraiz Shamsi: He is probably preferred over other spinners in the shorter version of the games due to his wicket mystery chinaman deliveries that often leaves the batsman perplexed. But in the not so spin-friendly conditions of England, he will have to adapt quickly. Australia Squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Here’s a Look at Australian Team’s Expected 30-Man Players List for the Mega Event in England.

Keshav Maharaj: Another spinner from South Africa who has made his mark in red ball cricket which may lead to him getting ignored by the selectors when they get down to business.

Dale Steyn: One of the greatest fast bowler to have graced the game, an ICC trophy has eluded Steyn for long. The fast bowler is in good shape at the moment and if he can remain injury free, South Africa have a great player in him.

Kagiso Rabada: One of the best bowlers currently, the aggressive Kagiso Rabada is lightning fast and will give top order batsman around the world a lot of problems in England.

Lungi Ngidi: 22-year-old Lungi Ngidi makes up the much-fancied trinity of fast bowlers the Proteas have in their arsenal along with Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada. A knee injury hampered his progress in late 2018 but he should be back playing at the highest level.

Andile Phehlukwayo: The medium pacer has been a constant figure in the ODI squad despite many below par performances. He is a fifth bowling option when in the team and can be decent hand with the bat.

Anrich Nortje: Anrich Nortje recently got picked up in the ODI squad for the Sri Lanka series and could use this opportunity to showcase his talent before the selectors.

Junior Dala: Although he has played just one ODI for South Africa, Junior Dala is a real talent and impressed everyone with his fats bowling in several domestic leagues around the world.

Dane Paterson: The player has been making strides in every form of cricket for the Proteas and the selectors quite rightly see him as an option for the World Cup.

Beuran Hendricks: The left arm fast bowler starred for South Africa in the recently concluded t20 series against Pakistan and could be an ideal pick for the World Cup.

Lutho Simpala: The great AB De Villiers predicted Lutho Simpala to be the next big thing in South African cricket and although he may miss out on the final list this time around, he is one for the future.

Mthokozisi Shezi: Mthokozisi Shezi is an experienced bowler in the domestic league and can be considered having an outside chance of making it to the World Cup.

The South Africa shows tremendous depth on their bowling but the loss of AB De Villiers is a huge loss that will take some doing to overcome.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 28, 2019 09:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).