By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The first Betway ODI between South Africa and the West Indies has been abandoned without a toss due to persistent rain at Buffalo Park in East London on Thursday.
The rain, which started overnight, came in fits and starts that saw the ground staff clear the covers after a break in the weather, only for the rain to return with a vengeance.
The second match in the three-match series will take place at the same venue on Saturday (1pm).
The series is important for both sides as they look ahead to the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India later this year, though neither has yet qualified and face the prospect of going through June’s qualification tournament in Zimbabwe.
South Africa recently completed a 2-0 test series victory over the touring Caribbean side. The sides will also play three Twenty20 Internationals after the completion of the 50-over matches.