West Indies vs South Africa – 1st T20 International Preview & Prediction
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Both West Indies and South Africa are short of match time in the T20i format and could each be without a number of players here due to IPL commitments as they finalise their respective ICC T20 World Cup plans.
DATE/TIME: Thursday 23rd May 2024, UK – 20:00 / JAMAICA - 14:00 / SOUTH AFRICA - 21:00 / INDIA – 00:30 / US EST – 15:00 / US CST - 14:00 / US PST – 12:00
VENUE: Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
WEATHER: Very warm conditions with temperatures in the early thirties, although a slight chance of thundery showers
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UNITED KINGDOM – TNT Sports / WEST INDIES - ESPN / SOUTH AFRICA – SuperSport / UNITED STATES - Willow TV
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UNITED KINGDOM – discovery+ / WEST INDIES - ESPN+ / SOUTH AFRICA – SuperSport / INDIA - Fancode
WEST INDIES FORM: WINDIES GIVE GOOD ACCOUNT OF THEMSELVES IN AUSTRALIA
Despite losing their most recent T20i series by two games to one back in February against Australia, West India can take plenty of positives from their showing over there, especially from a batting point of view, having racked up over 200 runs in each of the three matches played.
LAST FIVE: WLLWL
SOUTH AFRICA FORM: PROTEAS LOOKING TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME
Since early September, South Africa have competed in just two T20i fixtures in which a result was possible. Both were against India with the Proteas winning one, before India responded with a thumping 106-run triumph.
LAST FIVE: LWALL
WEST INDIES BETTING ANALYSIS
It will be a depleted West Indian squad who contests this series and more specifically this first T20i. Nicholas Pooran has been rested, whilst the likes of Shimron Hetmyer, Alzarri Joseph, Andre Russell and captain Rovman Powell are all still at the IPL.
Standing in for Powell will be Brandon King and his batting prowess makes him a good bat to inflict damage upon the South African bowling attack across the first T20i. Consider backing King to record over 20.5 match runs and to score over 2.5 match fours.
Obed McCoy has usually impressed when given a chance in either international or franchise cricket. The right-arm pacer has a tendency to grab wickets, even if they come at a cost of runs. South Africa are notorious for taking risks in a bid to find the boundary at every opportunity, so a smart move would be backing McCoy to take over 1.5 match wickets should he play.
SOUTH AFRICA BETTING ANALYSIS
West Indies are not the only team missing important players with South Africa also unable to field their strongest XI. Heinrich Klaasen remains at the IPL and fellow middle order hitter David Miller is rested. The Proteas are also without their skipper, with Rassie Van Dussen set to captain in Aiden Markram’s absence.
Quinton de Kock is expected to opening the batting though and the wicketkeeper, who averages 32.52 in T20 cricket for South Africa is a player of substantial skill who can usually be relied upon for runs. Capable of mixing control with aggression, a stake on De Kock to finish as South Africa’s top batter in the first T20i has to be favoured.
Another player who warrants attention is Gerald Coetzee. The 23-year-old has burst onto the scene recently for the Proteas, taking 20 wickets in last fall’s 50-over World Cup, proving hugely effective in the middle overs. There’s no reason to believe he can’t transition those skills over to the 20-over format and backing him to accrue 2+ wickets is a move well worth making.
WEST INDIES VS SOUTH AFRICA EXPERT PREDICTION
Of the two nations, South Africa appear slightly superior from a strength-in-depth perspective. This is crucial when taking into account the absences on both sides. The Proteas seem more equipped to deal with their missing players and the bowling attack especially, still looks very potent.
Although West Indies boasts home advantage, a flat pitch would suit South Africa and their fearless style of cricket which matches that of the hosts. Against such a weakened opponent, back them to open this series up with a victory.
WEST INDIES VS SOUTH AFRICA TIP: SOUTH AFRICA TO WIN
