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JOHANNESBURG. — South Africa’s hopes of ending a Cricket World Cup hoodoo will rest with some of the finest players currently active in the one-day game.

Captain AB de Villiers is the top ranked one-day international batsman and will arrive at the tournament after displaying dazzling form in a series against the West Indies, including the fastest one-day international century, made off a scarcely credible 31 balls.

Not far behind him is Hashim Amla, who has reached a succession of milestones in fewer innings than anyone else — 2 000, 3 000, 4 000 and most recently 5 000 runs.

As an opening batsman in one-day cricket, Amla sets the tone for many an innings.

Both De Villiers and Amla have career batting averages in excess of 50 and their runs have been scored at a rapid rate — De Villiers with a strike rate of close to 100 and Amla at just under 90.

Amla will be partnered at the top of the order by the prodigious talent of wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock. — AFP.