South Africa Vs West Indies South Africa favourite to win first test
The Match
South Africa play West Indies in the first Test match of the three game series. And even those who are even remotely connected with cricket, would know that the Proteas would be heavy favourites to win this game. On this tour so far, there have been two T20Is that have been played and five ODIs, and the tourists have won all of them.
So when the first test match between the two teams begins tomorrow at the Port-of-Spain in Trinidad, the South Africans will want to continue coming hard at the opposition, which will mean that the West Indians will struggle to make a comeback into the tour.
Pitch Conditions:
The conditions at Port-of-Spain usually favour a good game of cricket. This can be concluded from the fact that out of the last ten Test matches played on this ground, nine have ended in a result, whereas only one was drawn. Unfortunately, for the West Indies team, the bad news is that they have won only two games out of the 10, and that will, almost most certainly mean that they will need to look at the way they play their cricket.
West Indies:
Problems personified. West Indies’ issues are not restricted to a particular area. Their batting at the top of the innings is very much shaky, with no real opener to go ahead with Chris Gayle. Then again, their middle-order is inexperienced, and with injuries to Jerome Taylor and disciplinary issues with Sulieman Benn, the bowling looks woeful as well.
It will be Brendan Nash’s turn to grab the openers’ slot after the likes of Devon Smith, Dale Richards and Andre Fletcher have already failed to do so in their career. Nash has the technique, but will he have the temperament to play well at the international level, something that is often the key to success at that highest level.
Benn may not be selected again, and Shane Shillingford may be given an opportunity to play instead.
Probable Starting XI:
Chris Gayle, Brendan Nash, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Darren Bravo, Narsingh Deonarine, Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Darren Sammy, Shane Shillingford, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach.
Players to watch out for:
The player to watch out for, would be Chris Gayle. He has had an ordinary ODIs against South Africa and will like to silence all his critics for the manner he has led his side by doing his bit with the bat.
South Africa:
The South Africans have had a good run to the Test matches, having won seven successive games on tour. This comes at the back of the way they side played in the World T20 and that means that some of the critics would have been shut by now. But the South African side will know that given that they lost the number one position in Tests to India, the only way they can reclaim it back is by winning.
Probable Starting XI:
Amla, Smith, Kallis, Petersen, AB de Villiers, Prince, Boucher, Harris, Steyn, Morkel, Parnell
Players to watch out for:
Has to be Hashim Amla, for the way he has played in the limited overs format, it will be difficult to see him not score the runs in the Tests as well. I can almost predict a century for him in the first Test match!
Team and Player Odds:
South Africa will be hands down favourites to win this one and even the bookies seem to concur. The tourists are offered 10/11 to win the game, as compared to the 8/1 (Bet365) for West Indies to stun the Proteas. An unlikely scenario of a draw is offered 8/5 at Totesport.
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