South Africa Team News
South Africa are heading into this match after losing to Australia in their opening Super 12 fixture. Batting first, the Proteas could rack up just 118-9 after most of their batsmen succumbed to Australia’s bowlers and possibly, the nerves.
Aiden Markram scored the most runs that afternoon with 40 while the likes of Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, and Temba Bavuma went for cheap wickets.
With the ball, South Africa tried their best but the pitch in Abu Dhabi was ive enough for the Aussies to deal some damage. They chased down the target with 121-5, winning the match by 5 wickets.
Anrich Nortje and Keshav Maharaj took three wickets between them while Tabraiz Shamsi and Kagiso Rabada got a wicket each. On the whole, the Proteas weren’t all that bad – they did manage to sweat the Aussies and got crucial wickets to turn the tide. However, Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade saw to the win in the final overs.
Had South Africa batted well and added more runs on the board, the game could have very well gone their way. Currently, they are placed fourth in Group 1.
They also have a fair bit of momentum on their side, having beaten Afghanistan and Pakistan in the warm-up games with convincing margins. The only problem for them at the moment would be the misfiring in their batting order – De Kock and Van der Dussen need to start clicking and rediscover their groove in the main rounds.
South Africa’s Likely XI
Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi
West Indies Team News
Defending champions West Indies are in a world of trouble. They lost both their warm-up games to Afghanistan and Pakistan – posting just 130+ runs in both their innings.
On this lack of form and momentum, they played England and were bowled all out for a measly 55. Except for Chris Gayle, who scored 13 runs in as many balls, all other players departed in single digits.
They managed to get four wickets of England but that was not enough – the Poms won the match by 6 wickets with 70 balls to spare.
West Indies have been pegged as one of the favourites to go the distance in this year’s men’s T20 World Cup, but so far they have failed to match the competition, let alone impress.
The team is fielding a pretty capable squad, full of experienced stars and T20 specialists – they are just not clicking at the moment. They have been outclassed by all their opponents so far and if things remain the same, they are likely to finish bottom in their group – that’s where they are right now with a net run rate of -3.970.
West Indies’ Likely XI
Evin Lewis, Lendl Simmons, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Akeal Hosein, Obed McCoy, Ravi Rampaul
Venue & conditions
We are in Dubai for this one where the Caribbeans were handed that humiliating loss against England just days ago. The pitch is primed for batting, as seen in the Indian Premier League and that entertaining match between India and Pakistan.
This being a day affair, dew will have very little role to play.
Check out our Dubai Stadium betting guide for more on this venue!
