WI vs SA | 2nd T20I: Proteas look to bounce back after getting blanked by ruthless Windies in first game

The current T20Is taking place in the West Indies which would involve the Caribbean side locking horns with South African, Pakistani and Australian units are being seen as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup in October-November this year. In that regard, the humbling defeat that South Africa were subjected to in the first game of their 5-match series against the hosts was more than just a wake-up call for Mark Boucher and his men to get into their grooves before it is too late to recover. 

While the batting of Temba Bavuma’s unit was still at par, it was the bowling that lacked discipline. They were simply all over, so much so that the Windies chased down 161 in just 15 overs. There seemed to be no plan against the likes of Andre Russell and Chris Gayle, two stalwarts of the T20 format. Even when the entire world knows that short balls and wide yorkers are their weak points, South Africa decide that was a good day to forget that plan. 

The West Indies on their part were quite professional in all departments, be it batting or bowling and even in the field, letting no chance slip away at all, apart from a few errors in the field. Evin Lewis and Andre Fletcher, the two openers looked in supreme touch and then Gayle and Russell did the rest. The chase looked more like a statement to the rest of the world, ‘watch out, we are coming to defend the title’. 

For South Africa to make a comeback, they need to get in a plan and follow that. Moreover, they don’t have any genuine off-spinner in the side which is a problem against a left hand heavy West Indies batting lineup. But with the resources that they have, they got to back them and Temba Bavuma needs to lead by example if the team is going to get any success. 

West Indies vs South Africa: Match Details

Match Number- 02

Time and Date: June 27, 2021, 11:30 pm IST, 06:00 pm IST, 02:00 pm Local

Venue: National Cricket Stadium, St. George’s, Grenada

Live Stream: Fancode

Pitch Report

The pitch in the first game was absolutely terrific with the ball coming on the ball very nicely. A batting-friendly wicket predominantly, it also had something for the bowlers if the change of pace was applied with precision as was demonstrated by DJ Bravo and Russell. 

Weather and Toss

The conditions are going to be extremely humid and there are slight chances of rain early in the match. The toss would be crucial as the team winning it would look to chase.

Team News

West Indies

The openers did fantastically well and thus not playing Lendl Simmons did not turn out to be any bad decision. Whether Pollard would go with the same team is yet to be seen. Obed McCoy was great with the ball too, hence chances of a Fidel Edwards come back into the side are slim as well. More or less the same unit will be playing this game as well.

Probable XI

Evin Lewis, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran(w), Kieron Pollard(c), Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Dwayne Bravo, Fabian Allen, Obed McCoy, Kevin Sinclair

South Africa

For the Proteas, it is a catch 22 situation, if they change the team right now, it would be too early as just by the performance of one game, the talent of a player cannot be determined. Bit if the same team plays and loses again, then changing it in the do or die third game of the series would be too late as well. Honestly, the only change they can make is to play another fast bowler in place of Linde, most probably Andile Phehlukwayo. 

Probable XI

Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock(w), Temba Bavuma(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi

Dream XI / Fantasy XI team

Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle, Quinton de Kock(wk) (vc), Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andre Russell (c), Jason Holder, Dwayne Bravo, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kevin Sinclair