The change of pace from T20 cricket to ODI cricket did not suit the West Indies in game one of their ODI series against South Africa, proving the longer the format the harder it is to sustain their entertaining but reckless form of cricket.
The longer format brought about a 61-run Duckworth-Lewis loss, and in reality exposed a widening chasm between the two teams. Game two at Wanderers could highlight the gap again with the surface offering pace and bounce, and the outfield supposedly quick. Expect plenty of runs, but also expect the change in pace (both format and pitch) to factor against the tourists.
The Last Time These Two Met
After a T20 series that hinted at a new level of competitiveness between the teams, South Africa emptied the weapon cache and thrashed the West Indies in game one. Calling on their most experienced players South Africa accumulated 279 in their 50 overs; mainly thanks to half centuries from Hashim Amla, AB de Villers and David Miller. In reply, West Indies folded to just 164 with Tahir, Philander an Steyn taking three wickets each.
The Teams
South Africa (likely): 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Rilee Rossouw, 3 Faf du Plessis 4 AB de Villiers (capt & wk), 5 David Miller, 6 JP Duminy, 7 Farhaan Behardien, 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Dale Steyn 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Imran Tahir
Probably no cause for changes in the South African’s top side unless they intend to manage workloads. Morne van Wyk, Kyle Abbott and Wayne Parnell will likely be left on the sidelines.
West Indies (likely): 1 Chris Gayle, 2 Dwayne Smith, 3 Leon Johnson, 4 Marlon Samuels, 5 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 6 Jonathan Carter/Lendl Simmons, 7 Andre Russell, 8 Darren Sammy, 9 Jason Holder (capt), 10 Jerome Taylor, 11 Sulieman Benn
The West Indies might need to find room for Lendl Simmons to bolster the batting. Despite previewing him below, Jonathan Carter might miss out if that’s the case.
The Key Players
Hashim Amla – Once boxed as a test specialist Amla continues to churn out ODI runs for fun against all sides. His run a ball 66 in game one got him to 5000 ODI runs in just 101 innings, becoming the the fastest in the history of the game. In doing so, he broke the previous record of 114 innings (Virat Kohli and Viv Richards). Amazingly, Amla also holds the record for reaching 2000, 3000 and 4000 ODI runs the quickest.
Jonathan Carter – Carter was one of two West Indies players who made the World Cup squad without having played a one day international match. Sheldon Cottrell was the other, but at least he has some experience in the T20 and test team environment. Carter has played most of his recent cricket with the A team where he impressed enough to warrant World Cup selection. He scored an excellent List A hundred against India A, and didn’t look out of place in scoring 17 on debut in game one. Hopefully he gets a chance again at Wanderers.
The Odds*
South Africa – $1.28
West Indies – $3.70
*Courtesy of Palmerbet.
The Prediction
A bet on West Indies is effectively a bet on one of their batsman to score a hundred and win the game on his own. South Africa are a better complete team and have more people who can contribute. That’s why they are favourites. The $3.70 is tempting and the West Indies did chase down 230-odd in a T20 here at Johannesburg the other day. Even still, we’re going with South Africa by 30 runs or four wickets.
