WI vs SA, 1st Test | Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview, Live Streaming

West Indies players during a training session ahead of first Test (x.com)

West Indies will host South Africa in the first Test of their two-match series starting August 7 at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain. The two matches will also constitute a part of the ongoing 2023-25 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

WI vs SA 2024, 1st Test: Team Previews

West Indies

West Indies recently suffered a 0-3 drubbing in England as they continue to languish at the bottom of the WTC 2023-25 points table. However, earlier this year, the Kraigg Brathwaite-led group stunned Australia at The Gabba to secure a historic win.

Among the current West Indies unit gearing up to face the South African challenge, wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva has emerged as their most prolific batter off late alongside captain Brathwaite. With Shamar Joseph already in the ranks, the West Indies fast bowling consort is set to be further bolstered with the return of senior man Kemar Roach. Gudakesh Motie will be expected to lead the spin department for the hosts, considering the 29-year-old has bagged 19 wickets in his past five appearances.

South Africa

The series against West Indies marks South Africa’s return to the Test lore for the first time in nearly six months. Back in February this year, the Proteas jeopardized their WTC 2023-25 prospects by sending out their second-choice squad to New Zealand for a short series. With defeats in each of their previous three Tests, South Africa is currently ranked seventh on the WTC standings.

Among the current players, Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma will start out as some of the key members with the bat, considering both cricketers have tallied over 350 runs in the past few Tests. Meanwhile, South Africa’s ever-expanding fast bowling arsenal has been boosted with the emergence of rising star Nandre Burger.

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Queen's Park Oval Port Of Spain Trinidad Pitch Report For WI vs SA 1st Test

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WI vs SA 2024, 1st Test: Match Details & Live Streaming

WI vs SA 2024, 1st Test: Port of Spain Pitch Report

The Queen’s Park Oval at Port of Spain usually offers considerable assistance to fast bowlers, with something on offer for the spinners as well. The average first-innings total at the venue across all 62 Tests hosted here has emerged in the range of early 300s. The captain winning the toss will likely opt to bat first, as the pitch will be expected to be at its pristine best for batters in the first couple of days.

WI vs SA 2024, 1st Test: Probable Playing XIs

West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Mikyle Louis, Keacy Carty, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph.

South Africa: Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi.

WI vs SA 2024, 1st Test: Fantoss Fantasy Tips 

WI vs SA 2024, 1st Test: Winner Prediction

South Africa, owing to superior ICC Test rankings and a formidable fast bowling composition, will start out as favourites to defeat hosts West Indies at Port of Spain to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

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