The first of three T20 internationals between West Indies and South Africa takes place in Trinidad on Friday and we take a look at the squads, the form and the all important betting.
This is a 3 match series with all games staged at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad. The two test matches which took place earlier this month saw the first test drawn after plenty of rain delays and Proteas won the second test by 40 runs to claim the series.
Let's start with the squads.
West Indies: Rovman Powell (C), Roston Chase, Alick Athanaze, Fabian Allen, Johnson Charles, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd
South Africa: Aiden Markram (C), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams
Recent Form
West Indies:
West Indies hosted the bulk of the recent T20 World Cup and they topped their pool with a 100% record after wins over New Zealand, Afghanistan, Uganda and Papua New Guinea.
In the Super 8's (2 pools of 4 teams), WI lost to England before beating USA and their final match against the Proteas saw them beaten by 3 wickets (DLS) and they exited the tournament.
South Africa
South Africa also topped their T20 World Cup pool with 4 wins from 4 after coming through some tight matches against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Netherlands and Nepal.
The winning sequence continued in the Super 8's with wins over the USA, England and West Indies. In the semi finals the Proteas thrashed Afghanistan by 9 wickets but in what was a nerve jangling final against India they came up just short, losing by 7 runs.
Head to Head
Overall the teams have met 23 times in this format with West Indies winning 11 to South Africa's 12.
When the teams met in the T20 WC Super 8's the Proteas came out on top by 3 wickets in a match where the run chase was reduced to 17 overs. Shamsi with 3/27 was the most successful of the Proteas bowlers as WI were restricted to 135/8 in the full 20 overs. Conditions changed and and the Proteas got in front of the DLS target but wickets began to tumble before they got over the line with 5 balls to spare.
Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad
The West Indies have won 2 and lost 3 of the 5 T20 matches staged at this venue.
In the first pool stage of the T20 World Cup in June this year they beat New Zealand by 13 runs, posting 149/9 batting first which proved to be enough.
The Proteas WC semi final was also staged here and they beat Afghanistan by 9 wickets although none of the bowlers who took wickets in dismissing Afghanistan for just 56 are in the squad for this series.
The Betting - 1st T20
At the time of writing West Indies are 0.72/1 to win the match and South Africa can be backed at around even money with Sportingbet
WI are 9/20 to hit the most sixes with the Proteas at 1.55/1
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict
Both teams are missing some big guns and as far as the Proteas are concerned the absence of bowlers who played a crucial part in the run to the T20 WC final would be a concern.
I'll chance my arm with Obed McCoy to take 2 or more wickets for the hosts
Bets: Player Wickets Obed McCoy, over 1.5 at 1.55/1 with Sportingbet
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
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