The Tri-series format has been revived in the Carribean and it is outsiders the West Indies to take on South Africa who have plenty of cricket on the radar. Join The Roar for live scores from 3am (AEST).
Australia will be the third team in this Tri-series and one would expect coming in that it will be the Proteas taking on the Australian’s in the final, but of course cricket is a funny game and there is some serious talent in the West Indies squad.
Despite the fact they are missing Chris Gayle, the key will be with the future and captain Jason Holder.
The youngster, still finding his feet on the international cricket stage has a massive opportunity in this series on home soil to push his position with the ball, be aggressive with captaincy and also chip in handy scores with the bat in the middle to lower order.
Simply put, if Holder doesn’t fire – and being a bowler either gets frustrated with the way things are going in the field or with his own bowling – then it is hard to see the Windies firing.
In saying that, they do have some experience and depth in their squad – Spin bowlers Sulieman Benn and Sunil Narine could well have the edge over the Proteas here and need to bowl well while the addition of Kieron Pollard always strengthens a team up with the bat, ball and energy in the field.
The South Africans have a typically strong squad for the series, and put in a good warm-up performance against a West Indies Cricket Board XI in the Port of Spain. While there is still room for improvement, they put on a strong score of 280 with Hashim Amla leading the way on 92.
After a slow start, losing wickets they recovered well and with only one game it isn’t a real true indicator of form – meaning there is every chance the top order will fire and not place so much pressure on the likes of AB De Villiers and Faf du Plesis.
Their bowlers could only get 24 overs in due to rain, and it was Kyle Abbott and Kagiso Rabada who impressed with the new ball – keeping things very tight even if they couldn’t pick up wickets.
Prediction
Despite the home ground advantage, South Africa have a ridiculously strong squad and will have to play ordinarily to lose. If Jason Holder has a big game then the West Indies are a chance, but this shouldn’t be a game in suspense to the end.
South Africa comfortably.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores from 3am (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below as the match unfolds.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Australia have sealed victory in the best-of-three one-day international series against South Africa, avenging their upset loss in match two with a rain-affected 110-run…
South Africa closed an extraordinary see-saw first day of the second and final Test against India at Newlands on 3-62 in their second innings,…
The imminent death of Test cricket has been discussed for decades. From the inception of Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket in 1977 to Andrew…
Debutant left-arm pacer Nandre Burger claimed 4-33 as India crashed to a stunning defeat against South Africa on day three of the first Test.…
24 years ago, at Edgbaston, Australia and South Africa locked horns for the most famous ODI in history, ending with scores tied on a…
South Africa have seen off a spirited fightback from Afghanistan to win by five wickets with 15 balls to spare in their final World…
