SA vs WI, 1st T20I: Preview, Pitch Report, Probable XIs, Fantasy Tips & Prediction
West Indies will face South Africa on Saturday (Source: Twitter)
South Africa will face the stern challenge of West Indies in the first fixture of the T20I series on Saturday (March 25) at Centurion. The action shifts into the shortest format, after the ODI series was levelled 1-1.
Team Preview
South Africa
South Africa are coming into this game with a confident-boosting victory in the last fixture of the ODI series. They will be led by Aiden Markram, who will take over the reigns from Temba Bavuma.
The Proteas will welcome their key speedsters, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, who were rested from the 50-over format. Heinrich Klaasen will be the key batters, along with Quinton de Kock and David Miller.
West Indies
The Caribbean team will be looking to start afresh in their preferred format, but need to be sensible with their decisions in order to prevail over a strong Proteas outfit.
Rovman Powell will lead the West Indies side, and hope to start their 2024 T20 World Cup preparation with a positive mindset. The likes of Alzarri Joseph and Akeal Hosein will be the key bowlers, while Kyle Mayers and Nicholas Pooran are the experienced batters.
Match Details
Date & Time: March 25, 5:30 PM IST
Venue: SuperSport Park, Centurion
Live Streaming: Star Sports Network & Hotstar
Pitch Report: A total of 12 T20Is have been played at this ground, with seven of them being won by the team batting first. The pitch offers strong support as evident with the average score of around 170.
Probable XIs
South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Rilee Rossouw, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi
West Indies: Johnson Charles, Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Rovman Powell (c), Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Odean Smith, Alzarri Joseph, Yannic Cariah, Sheldon Cottrell.
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicket-Keepers: Heinrich Klaasen, Nicholas Pooran
Batters: David Miller, Rilee Rossouw, Brandon King
All-Rounders: Aiden Markram, Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers
Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Alzarri Joseph
Captain: Heinrich Klaasen
Vice-Captain: Kyle Mayers
Prediction
South Africa and West Indies certainly boasts of quality T20 players in their roster, with rich experience in franchise leagues all around the world. However, the Proteas have a better bowling attack, and might start of the series with a victory.