Gayle and de Villiers ready for war at the SCG

Stand by for the World Cup heavyweight bout between Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers when the Windies clash with South Africa today at the SCG.

In the red corner Gayle, the holder of the world’s highest World Cup score of 215 off only 147 deliveries – that included 16 sixes and 10 fours – set three days ago in Canberra.

In the blue corner de Villiers, holder of the world’s fastest ODI century off 31 deliveries – including 10 sixes and eight fours – set in January this year at Johannesburg in an innings of 149 off a mere 44 deliveries.

In both those record-breaking digs, Gayle and de Villiers smacked 16 sixes each to share the world record of majors in an innings with Indian Rohit Sharma’s 16 in a 2013 innings.

And to give the Windies an edge today, the first wicket partnership between Gayle and Marlon Samuels of 372 three days ago is a world ODI record for any wicket, smashing the previous record of 331 set by Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid 16 years ago against New Zealand at Hyderabad.

Stand by alright.

This clash promises plenty, and is vital to both teams, but more to South Africa after limping over the line against Zimbabwe and being mauled by India to the tune of 150 runs in their only two games to date.

Just look at the South African batting line-up – Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, de Villiers, David Miller, and JP Duminy – an awesome top six on their day. But only Miller (138*), and Duminy (115*) have reached three figures in this tournament, and both against Zimbabwe, when the elite top four were back in the shed for just 83.

The same four were dismissed for 133 against India, before folding like a pack of cards to be all out 177.

The top four must fire today to lay the foundation for a 350-plus score, and hope Gayle’s ageing body hasn’t recovered from his monster innings.

Three Windies batsmen have reached three figures so far, with Lendl Simmons joining Gayle and Samuels.

Having said that, the Windies’ top six are nowhere near the overall class of the South Africans top half a dozen, with the exception of former Windies skipper Darren Sammy, who is capable of anything on a given day. But the Windies not selecting Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard was a major blunder when it comes to depth and unleashing power.

On paper, South Africa has by far the most potent attack, but not so far in this tournament,

Expressman Dale Steyn is not express any more, and his 2-119 off 19 overs in his two games to date haven’t frightened anybody.

Morne Morkel has been more productive with 4-108 off 18.2 overs, with under-rated leggie Imran Tahir’s 4-84 off 20 the pick of the South African bowlers.

Whether that’s enough to keep the Windies quiet is a big question, with paceman Vernon Philander on the injured list.

As for the Windies’ attack, paceman Jerome Taylor has been the standout. His tournament 9-124 at an average of 13.77 is second only to Kiwi paceman Tim Southee, who tops the list with 11-111 at 10.09 – including 7-33 against England.

So strap on your seat-belts folks, today could be explosive.