The West Indies are battered, bruised and suffering an alright AB de Villiers inflicted cricketing hangover. Conceding 439 is always bad, giving up another fastest ODI hundred (they were the opposing team when Corey Anderson set the previous best) is worse. Both factors mean the West Indies need inspiration and need it fast if they are to compete in game two of the ODI series.
This sounds unusual for West Indies cricket, but given their current make-up, they will welcome the slower conditions at Port Elizabeth. They might also be saved from another onslaught if the predicted rain eventuates.
The Last Time These Two Met
The match belonged to de Villiers. de Villiers made an incredible 149 off just 44 balls; in the process breaking Corey Anderson’s record for the fastest ODI century of all time. de Villiers bullied his way to nine 4’s and sixteen 6’s. His innings went like this: 4,2,1,1,4,6,4,6,6,.,2,2,lb,1,6,6,6,4,6,1,4,1,1,.,4,4,.,6,4,6,6. He helped his side amass 439, of which Hashim Amla and Rilee Rossouw also made hundreds. Incredibly they butchered the chance of posting the highest team score ever in ODI cricket by scoring just 3 from the final over. The West Indies made 291 – the best score of the series for them thus far – but never threatened the target.
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
Wrap the series up first and tinker with the side afterwards. South Africa will probably stick with the status quo before tinkering later in the series with the ranking points well and truly wrapped up.
West Indies (likely): 1. Chris Gayle, 2 Dwayne Smith, 3 Lendl Simmons/Leon Johnson, 4 Marlon Samuels, 5 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 6 Jonathan Carter, 7 Andre Russell, 8 Darren Sammy, 9 Jason Holder (capt), 10 Jerome Taylor/Sheldon Cottrell, 11 Sulieman Benn
We have previously suggested the West Indies should consider Lendl Simmons, now they have no choice. While there bowling took plenty of punishment in game three, the batting still needs to be improved – especially at the top. Jerome Taylor was one of those bowlers who got destroyed in Johannesburg so he might be due a rest and Sheldon Cottrell given a chance.
The Key Players
Farhaan Behardien – He may not be in line for a huge amount of cricket in the World Cup, but if called upon South African fans will want to be able to believe in him in crunch times. Instances like game two don’t really help his cause, and while he’ll have a huge amount of pad rash, he won’t have much else to show for it. He needs time in the middle and may play an important role in game three if he gets it.
Sulieman Benn – The lanky spinner was one of the first to tip his cap to de Villers after the outstanding knock, but in truth, he deserved some credit too. Benn conceded just 49 from his ten overs (in amongst RPO’s such as 10 for Jason Holder and 17 for Dwayne Smith), to easily be the best West Indies bowler. With his quicks going the distance, Benn will need to be at his wily best to stop the host’s batsman.
The Odds*
South Africa – $1.24
West Indies – $4.10
*Courtesy of Sportsbet Australia.
The Prediction
Wow the money on the West Indies is good. But with a highest score of just 64 in the series from their batsman it’s hard to see them winning games, unless of course, Chris Gayle comes off. That’s effectively what you’re doing if you bet on West Indies here. So you may as well go for the Chris Gayle to top score / West Indies win combo paying $11.00.
But, South Africa should win again. Too strong in every aspect and taking their World Cup preparations seriously.
The Longshot
Rilee Rossouw to double up and score 50 in game two – $3.33
