South Africa take on the West Indies in the T20 World Cup tomorrow. Read our in-depth preview here…
South Africa go in search of the win that will almost certainly secure their place in the T20 World Cup semi-finals tomorrow.
The Proteas take on the West Indies in a clash between the two remaining unbeaten teams in the tournament. Both sides won their opening Super Eight fixtures, South Africa hammering favourites India and the Windies seeing off Zimbabwe in equally emphatic fashion.
Group 1 of the Super Eight is still wide open and riddled with permutations but a South Africa win would make them highly likely to advance to the last four. A Windies victory would put them in a strong position but they’d still have India to play.
The game takes place in Ahmedabad, where South Africa have played four times including against India, but the wide variety of pitches available at the Narendra Modi Stadium means it perhaps doesn’t give them the edge it would do elsewhere.
Spinner Keshav Maharaj told Cricinfo: “From a pitch point of view, every game has been very different. In the four matches that we’ve played here, conditions have played very differently so I don’t see it as too much of an advantage. It’s just making sure that we adapt quicker rather than later compared to the opposition.”
The West Indies have spent more time on the road – or in the air – and did not arrive in Ahmedabad until late last night.
They will have one training session this afternoon and then go straight in.
It is not ideal but team coach Floyd Reifer is unflustered. He said: “We’re not worried too much about the venues, who played there or who didn’t play there. For us, it’s just coming out and understanding what needs to be done and executed.”
Team News for South Africa v West Indies
Roston Chase could come in to bolster the Windies spin options but, that aside, it will be the same team that brushed Zimbabwe aside.
Likewise, South Africa will also adopt the ‘if it ain’t broke’ mantra and stick with the XI that beat India.
Predicted line-ups for South Africa v West Indies
South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
West Indies: Brandon King, Shai Hope (c & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Roston Chase, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph
Where to watch South Africa v West Indies
South Africa versus the West Indies starts at 9.30am on Thursday morning for UK viewers. The T20 World Cup will be shown exclusively live in the UK on Sky Sports. You can stream it on the Sky Go app.
For coverage elsewhere in the world, click HERE for details of your local rights holder.
Prediction for South Africa v West Indies
The Windies are a very good side but then so are India and they were blown away by the Proteas.
We can’t go against Aiden Markram’s men and we fancy them to put one foot in the semi-finals, although it should be a close game.