Chris Gayle has launched a number of attacks over the past few days. First, a scintillating record beating fifty in game one. Then came even better 90 in which he hit 8 sixes and equaled the record for the total number of sixes hit in international T20 cricket. To cap it off, his most scathing attack wad directed at the WICB who refused to pick Dwayne Bravo and Pollard in the West Indies World Cup squad. Kingsmead could be on the receiving end of the fourth.
To prevent that, South Africa must find a way to quell Gayle. However, even if they do, they still have the rest of the West Indies line up to contend with, which is not an easy prospect for a side playing with as much confidence as they are. The best bet is to play in the disciplined way they know how and by winning the smaller battles first – the fielding, the catching, the 1%’ers.
The Last Time These Two Met
44 fours and 24 sixes tells the story. The Wanderers record breaker was a match of epic proportions. Remarkably the West Indies chased down 232 with four wicket and four balls to spare; exactly the same winning margin as at Newlands. Chris Gayle, as our preview predicted, was again the star of the show bludgeoning 90 off 41 balls and partnering with Marlon Samuels (60 off 39) to cap off a memorable win. The chase overshadowed South African captain Faf du Plessis’ special hundred, which he scored from just 46 balls.
For the record, with his century du Plessis became the eight international cricketer to have scored hundreds in all three formats. The others are: Gayle, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Brendon McCullum, Suresh Raina, Mahela Jayawardene, Martin Guptill and Ahmed Shehzad.
The Teams
South Africa (likely): 1 Morne van Wyk (wk), 2 Rilee Rossouw, 3 Farhaan Behardien, 4 David Miller, 5 Justin Ontong (capt), 6 Wayne Parnell, 7 David Wiese, 8 Kyle Abbott, 9 Kagiso Rabada/Aaron Phangiso, 10 Marchant de Lange, 11 Imran Tahir
Justin Ontong steps in to captain the side after du Plessis was given the day off.
West Indies (likely): 1 Chris Gayle, 2 Dwayne Smith, 3 Marlon Samuels, 4 Kieron Pollard, 5 Andre Russell, 6 Dwayne Bravo, 7 Darren Sammy (capt), 8 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 9 Jason Holder, 10 Sulieman Benn, 11 Sheldon Cottrell
There may be a temptation to try Carlos Brathwaite or Andre Fletche, but we sense West Indies will opt for momentum and chase the series sweep.
The Key Players
Imran Tahir – The energy that this man displays when celebrating wickets defies his age, and although he didn’t get to do so during game two, he was the only bowler who went for less than 8 runs an over. Tahir will play a key role again in stifling the West Indies run rate with his flat turners, and he’ll much prefer the Durban conditions to the batsman friendly altitude of Wanderers.
Another West Indies Player Chris Gayle – Just kidding. Chris Gayle is the key again, obviously. Two matches in the series and two rapid half centuries to the tall left-hander outline his importance to the West Indies. He’s also voiced his disappointment at Pollard and Bravo missing out on World Cup selection, so we expect him to take his anger out on Kyle Abbot and the rest of the South African bowlers again.
The Odds*
South Africa – $2.02
West Indies – $1.78
*Courtesy of Luxbet.
The Prediction
There is a slight doubt hanging over the West Indies if Gayle doesn’t score runs. How will they respond if their talisman fails? Who will score the runs? And for those that don’t think lightening can strike three times, South Africa’s odds look awfully enticing.
Having said that, we’re backing the West Indies for the whitewash.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
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Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
