Can the hosts bounce back?
After the visitors locked in the Test series, South Africa and hosts West Indies switch over to the shortest format as West Indies look to bag the white-ball series at home.
Ahead of the first T20 between South Africa and West Indies, here’s our match preview and predictions for the game.
West Indies vs South Africa 1st T20 || South Africa tour of West Indies 2024 || 00:30 IST, August 24, 2024
The recent T20 World Cup runner up, South Africa return to the shortest format after a heartbreaking loss to India as they look to continue their rise to the front of world cricket. Led by Aiden Markram, while they might not have all their big names, the Proteas boast of a host of talented individuals with Ottneil Baartman shining in the World Cup, while Wiaan Mulder had a strong red-ball series. The young Tristan Stubbs continues to impress with the visitors having experience in their unit as well in the likes of Markram, Rassie van der Dussen and Lungi Ngidi.
The hosts will be without Andre Russell, Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph, who have all requested/been given rest for the home series. Rovman Powell will continue to lead the side in the shortest format with Roston Chase serving as his deputy and Fabian Allen returns to the West Indies set up with the hosts fielding a relatively young side. The Windies have plenty of firepower in the batting lineup with the likes of Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran while Romario Shepherd and Sherfane Rutherford will both be key with the bat and ball. Youngsters Gudakesh Motie and Shamar Joseph will also be crucial for the hosts with the ball.
The Tarouba strip was one of the lowest scoring grounds during the T20 World Cup 2024 and will provide assistance to the spinners. While the Proteas are the more experienced team, the Windies in the shortest format are a different beast and even though they might not have their full-strength squad, expect the hosts to come out on top.
Fantasy XI: Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Shimron Hetmyer, Wiaan Mulder, Shamar Joseph, Akeal Hosein, Ottneil Baartman, Lungi Ngidi, Gudakesh Motie
Venue: Tarouba
Winner Prediction: West Indies
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