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WI vs SA T20Is: 5 things to look forward to | 5 things to look forward to in the upcoming WI vs SA T20Is – who will win this 5-match series?
The Caribbean outfit, two-time world T20 champions, West Indies will play a five-match T20I series in Grenada against South Africa from 26 June. This series holds importance as the ICC WT20 2021 is near, and both teams will want to stabilize their squad before taking part in the mega event.
South Africa would be in high spirits after their thumping series win over men in maroon in the Tests. However, we all know Windies are a far better T20 side, so it promises to be tough for the Proteas. The visitors played their last T20I series against Pakistan where they lost 2-1 on home soil. On the other hand, West Indies played their last T20I series against Sri Lanka, where they won 2-1.
It will be another exciting contest between two powerhouses of cricket. Let us look at five key things to look forward to in the upcoming T20I series.
Pitch at the National Cricket Stadium, St George’s, Grenada
The whole five-match T20I series will be in Grenada. Traditionally a high-scoring ground, this has been a venue where batsmen have enjoyed scoring. However, the bowlers might have a say in this series.
Often, change of pace has been effective. Considering the fact that five straight games will be played on the one ground, pitches will likely become tired, as the groundsmen will hardly get any time to prepare the wickets. As a result, the deck should take turn later on in the series.
A long series will definitely change the nature of the wicket and it will be a bit challenging for both teams to adapt effectively. Fans will be hoping for a high-scoring series, but with one venue to host five games, we might see low-scoring affairs towards the end of the series.
Temba Bavuma’s captaincy under scanner
It hasn’t been an ideal start for Temba Bavuma as the full-time skipper of the Proteas after taking the reins from Quinton de Kock. Under his leadership, South Africa lost their last ODI series against Pakistan at home, and he didn’t feature in the T20I series against the same opposition.
So, this series provides Bavuma with an ideal opportunity to claim his first series win as a captain of South Africa. With extra responsibility on his shoulders as a batsman, Bavuma will have to make sure that he leads from the front with the bat, without playing with too conservative an approach.
If Temba is fit to play the series then he will be tested, not only as a batsman but as a captain too. If he can balance both his batting and captaincy, then South Africa will fancy their chances for a series win.
Who will partner Quinton de Kock at the top?
The Proteas are travelling with five opening options including the incumbent opener Quinton de Kock. The team has tested many pairs in order to fix one right combination at the top before the WT20. Contenders to partner de lock are Aiden Markram, Janneman Malan, Reeza Hendricks, and captain Temba Bavuma, so it remains to be seen who gets first go alongside the keeper-batsman.
All have performed on different occasions to claim the top spot, with Markram performing particularly well against Pakistan earlier this year. With tough competition at the top, Bavuma may take a back seat and drop himself down the order. As a result, it is likely that Markram will start with Quinton in the first T20I, and by the end of the series, the Proteas need to have a better idea of their opening combination heading into the mega event.
All-round Brigade of Windies
Teams always wish to have at least one all-rounder in their lineup to get the balance right. Here, West Indies having the luxury of having four seam and one spin bowling all-rounder in their current squad. The four-seam bowling all-round options – Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard – adds value to the team in all three departments, and if the pitch has something to offer for the slower bowlers then Allen can come handy with his slow left-arm spin and brutal hitting down the order.
The return of Russell makes the West Indies an incredibly intimidating side heading into the T20I series, as he is one of the hardest strikers of the cricket ball. Also, he can bowl in any phase of the game and is a brilliant fielder as well.
With the all-rounders that West Indies have at their disposal, there will be great depth both in their bowling and batting department. Thus, this gives Kieron Pollard the option of going with an extra batsman or bowler depending on the nature of the wicket and conditions.
Chris Gayle in the new role for the Men in Maroon
In the last few years, the “Universe Boss”, who is the most successful opener in T20 cricket, has found himself adapting to the new role of batting at number three in the 20-over game. The big question for the team management will be where to fix Gayle in the XI; as an opener or one down at three.
Gayle undoubtedly has been the best and most destructive T20 opener of this generation. Of late, he has shown that he can have the same impact while batting at number 3. In the last T20 assignment against Sri Lanka, Gayle batted at three. Although he struggled at that position throughout the series, his experience of playing this format and ability to tonk any bowler at his will makes Gayle a versatile option for the current T20 title holders.
Like South Africa, the Windies too have healthy competition for the opening slot in Evin Lewis, Lendl Simmons and Andre Fletcher as the opening options. If Gayle opens for Windies, then two out of the three openers will have to sit out. Simmons showed up in the last series against Sri Lanka and he was the one who opened with Evin Lewis, which meant Gayle had to bat at three, which might be the plan heading into this series. Fletcher in all likeliness will warm the bench, but he could very well get a chance this series.
It is going to be one hell of a series as the home side will be looking for retribution while for the visitors it is about continuing the winning momentum.
Written by Vaibhav Tripathi. Follow Vaibhav on Twitter today.
