The two-Test match series between South Africa and West Indies will kickstart from 7th August at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Match Preview
This Test is going to be classic! Both sides have batting line-ups as newcomers, experienced pace attack, a few rising stars and both are desperate for the World Test Championship (WTC).
Talking about West Indies, they will be competing after a disappointing series against England as they failed to win a single match against the Three Lions. Nevertheless, the side showed some improvement in the second and third Test of the series.
Kavem Hodge was one of the positives for West Indies against England. He also scored his maiden Test century in that tour, announcing his arrival in style. A lot of hopes and responsibility will be on his young shoulders. For Hodge, West Indies will keep the simple plan as said by his coach, Andre Coley; continue playing as you are doing from the last two series.
Jayden Seales was another top-performer for the Maroon Caps on the England tour as he picked-up 13 wickets in three games at an average of 27.
And here is another factor when West Indies toured South Africa for a Test series, they failed to clinch victory in any of the games and now West Indies may look to return the favour.
South Africa will be returning to this format after losing a Test series against New Zealand in February. Most of the star players missed out on the Test series as they were playing SAT20.
David Bedingham was the third-highest run-scorer in that series as he was one of the positives for the African side. The batter also plundered a knock of 110 which came off just 141 balls. And the off-spinner, Dane Piedt, picked-up eight wickets in the second Test.
South Africa also played a warm-up game against West Indies Championship XI in Tarouba. After conceding 397 runs in the first innings the tourists declared their innings at 408/9. The host side were reduced to 46/4 in the second innings before the match ended in a draw.
Rabada and Piedt took three wickets apiece in the first innings while Lungi Ngidi picked up three wickets. Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Bedingham, Ryan, and Kyle scored half-centuries.
Both of the sides have announced their playing XI on the eve of the match.
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Ryan Rickleton, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.
West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), Mikyle Louis, Keacy Carty, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Jomel Warrican, Kemar Roach
Pitch and weather report:
The pitch is expected to assist spinners and pacers. As the South African coach said “everything tells us it’s going to spin”. Yet, the side opted for a loan spinner, it will be exciting to see how this decision will roll out for the side.
And about the weather, it is not great news. As rain is predicted during the all-five days of the upcoming Test matches, and more importantly on the first and last day of the Test.
Predictions:
Although both of the sides are poised and West Indies have home advantage as well, South Africa are favourites to win the first Test match.
Head-to-head:
All in all, South Africa and West Indies have played 32 Test matches so far. Out of which 22 are bested by South Africa while the Windies could only win 3. Honestly, West Indies would look to improve this record.
Where to watch:
Pakistan: Tapmad
South Africa: SuperSport
India and other Asian countries: FanCode App and Website
UK: TNT Sports
West Indies: Windies Cricket Youtube channel
Rest of the world: CricHD
