Netherlands win toss and elect to field v South Africa

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, March 16 (Reuters) The Netherlands won the toss and chose to field in their rain-affected World Cup Group A match against South Africa at Warner Park today.

A wet field caused by overnight rain delayed the start of play by two-and-a-half hours, and the innings have been reduced to 40 overs.

South Africa rested fast bowler Makhaya Ntini, who joined the squad on Wednesday after remaining at home to be with his wife at the birth of their second child.

Left-arm spinner Robin Peterson was left out for tactical reasons, which meant part-time off-spinner Graeme Smith was South Africa's only slow bowlng option.

The Dutch omitted new-ball bowler Mark Jonkman and off-spinner Adeel Raja from their XI.

Teams: South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs, Ashwell Prince, Justin Kemp, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Andrew Hall, Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel.

Netherlands: Baz Zuiderent, Darron Reekers, Ryan ten Doeschate, Alexei Kervezee, Eric Szwarczynski, Daan van Bunge, Tim de Leede, Peter Borren, Billy Stelling, Luuk van Troost (captain), Jeroen Smits.

Reuters DH DB2217