The Twenty20 series scheduling was a little puzzling on account of the World Cup beginning in less than a month. Sure, the demographic is different and presents a gate-taking opportunity for the hosts (and ICC), but to ensure the highest quality of cricket come the World Cup you would forgive organisers for foregoing T20 cricket until afterwards.
Nevertheless, the play time is over. Coaches can devise game plans; iron out the kinks. Players can get down to nailing their World Cup spots down.
The West Indies can complete a series without walking out too, after players association negotiations ruined their last ODI series in India.
The Last Time These Two Met
These two haven’t played too much one day cricket against each other of late. The last series was in 2010, and the last match – a tie in the 2013 World Cup in Cardiff. We can’t use historical form as guide then, so we’ll use the just finished T20 series as an indication that this one will be close.
The Teams
South Africa (likely): 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Rilee Rossouw, 3 Faf du Plessis 4 AB de Villiers (capt, wk), 5 JP Duminy 6 Farhaan Behardien, 7 David Miller, 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Dale Steyn 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Imran Tahir
Almost back to a full strength line up after resting a number of stars during the T20 series. Only Quinton de Kock is unavailable so Rilee Russouw gets an opportunity to open up in his absence. de Kock’s absence also means both Miller and Behardien play in the middle order, while AB de Villiers will take the gloves.
West Indies (likely): 1 Chris Gayle/Lendl Simmons, 2 Dwayne Smith, 3 Marlon Samuels, 4 Leon Johnson, 5 Andre Russell, 6 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 7 Darren Sammy, 8 Jason Holder (capt), 9 Jerome Taylor, 10 Sulieman Benn, 11 Sheldon Cottrell
The West Indies are missing both Bravo’s (one of them permanently), and Kieron Pollard, so we assume they’ll need to strengthen the batting line-up with Leon Johnson or Lendl Simmons. Both might play if Chris Gayle is given another day off. He is training again after being rested for the final T20 but it’s understandable if the West Indies manage his workload heading into a major tournament.
The Key Players
JP Duminy – Chronic knee problems have badly impacted on Duminy’s ability to forge a lasting legacy in international cricket; a result that seems scarcely believable after his start to domestic and international cricket. With the World Cup just around the corner and Duminy finally fit, now is the opportunity to turn that around and help his side win an overdue World Cup. Tonight’s series opener is the perfect time to start the preparations.
Marlon Samuels – For all the talk about Chris Gayle there’s another chap in the West Indies side who does just as much for his team. Marlon Samuels (when his attitude permits) is a massvie contributor in all three formats of the game. Before his failure in the final T20 match, his scores in all matches were 33, 17, 101, 43, 74, 41, and 60, illustrating his importance to the side.
The Odds*
South Africa – $1.35
West Indies – $3.20
*Courtesy of Tom Waterhouse.
The Prediction
de Villers believes his side is the best in the world. He was quoted as saying “I still feel we will be the best team at the World Cup and I can’t wait to go there.” Who are we to disagree? South Africa to win.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
