When you scratch names like Kallis and Smith from the team sheet and also throw in injuries to names like Duminy, the South African test cricket side starts to take a very unfamiliar shape. New names like van Syl, Elgar, Bavuma and Rabada replace the mainstays and carry the burden of a new era of cricket.
The new era begins tonight with a test match series against the enigmatic West Indies team. Centurion hosts game number one in what many are tipping to be a one-sided contest. Despite the personnel changes South Africa go into the match and series as heavy favourites. They still possess enough quality in de Villiers, du Plessis, and Amla to trouble even the best in World and should enjoy the home conditions against a West Indies attack lacking in out and out quicks.
What the tourists lack in quicks they make up for in reliable professional cricketers. Most of the squad are now comfortable in the international environment, fitting in well around the experience of Samuels, Chanderpaul, and Ramdin. They played nicely in their only warm up game against an invitational XI and will be hoping to reprise similar form as they step up to the test arena.
The Last Time These Two Met
The two teams play for the Sir Vivian Richards Trophy. The last time they met to contest the trophy was in 2010 when South Africa won the series 2-0 in the West Indies. South Africa had big wins in Bridgetown and Port of Spain while the match at Basseterre ended in a draw.
The Teams
South Africa (likely): 1 Alviro Petersen, 2 Dean Elgar, 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 Hashim Amla (capt), 5 AB de Villiers, 6 Stiaan van Zyl, 7 Quinton de Kock (wk), 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Kyle Abbott/Robin Peterson
West Indies (likely): 1 Kraigg Brathwaite, 2 Devon Smith, 3 Leon Johnson, 4 Marlon Samuels, 5 Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 7 Denesh Ramdin (capt & wk), 8 Jerome Taylor, 9 Kemar Roach, 10 Sheldon Cottrell, 11 Sulieman Benn/Shannon Gabriel
The Key Players
Alviro Petersen – A catchy tagline describes Petersen’s recent form. 23 innings and 23 months without a century. It’s a worrying statistic for South African cricket who have lost a host of big names with big cricket experience. Being heavily scrutinised might suit Petersen though as he often plays some of his best cricket under pressure.
Kraigg Brathwaite – The 22-year old is unlike many West Indian batsman. He doesn’t bat with any of the traditional flair, instead he accumulates using his immense powers of concentration. He was in sublime form against Bangladesh in September (212, 4*, 63, 45) and has carried that on with some handy knocks against Sri Lanka A. Brathwaite is an accomplished back foot player so he should be able to cope with the South African attack on South African pitches.
The Odds*
South Africa – $1.33
Draw – $4.00
West Indies – $12.00
*International Cricket odds courtesy of TopBetta.
The Prediction
South Africa will have too much quality for their opponents in this match and in the series. The seamers in particular are expected to be a difficult prospect on the quick and bouncy surfaces.
