WI vs SA, 1st T20I: Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

SA is about to face WI in a 3-match T20I series (x.com)

The pinnacle T20 World Cup 2024 is just 10 days away from its inception, and all teams across the world are looking for the final touches before they meet each other at the showpiece event. 

West Indies and South Africa will start the T20 World Cup 2024 as two of the favourites. Before that, they will have a dress rehearsal in the three-match T20I series in the Carribean Islands, starting from Friday (May 24) at Sabina Park. Interestingly, all three games will be played in Kingston.

WI Vs SA, 1st T20I: Team Previews

West Indies

West Indies, co-hosts of the T20 World Cup 2024 and hosts of this bilateral series, are a force to reckon with in the shortest format of the game. 

Without the likes of their mainstay players, who are currently busy with the IPL, West Indies will field an inexperienced yet lethal line-up under the leadership of Brandon King. 

As Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Shai Hope, and Sherfane Rutherford are unavailable, inexperienced Windies batters would have to do hardcore weightlifting in the bilateral rubber. However, the bowling looks decent on paper for the two-time World Champions. 

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South Africa

Seven out of South Africa's squad for the T20 World Cup will miss the upcoming series against West Indies. 

As most of their core players are still playing in the IPL, and a couple of them have decided to take a short break before the showpiece event, the Proteas will play the series under Rassie van der Dussen's captaincy, who is not a part of the T20 World Cup squad. 

The forthcoming series presents a significant platform for talents such as Quinton de Kock, Tabriaz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi, Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, and others. It's a chance for them to acclimatize to the conditions ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.

 WI Vs SA, 1st T20I: Match details & Live Streaming

WI Vs SA, 1st T20I: Sabina Park Pitch Report

Historically, Sabina Park was considered one of the hardest and flattest tracks in the Carribean Islands. However, in recent times, the pitch at the stadium has slowed down, which would favour the slower bowlers as the games proceed. 

In the last six T20Is contested at the venue, bowling first sides have had an advantage, with an average first-innings score of 157 at the venue. 

WI Vs SA, 1st T20I: Probable Playing XIs

West Indies: Brandon King (c), Johnson Charles (wk), Kyle Mayers, Alick Athanaze, Matthew Forde, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Obed McCoy.

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen (c), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickleton, Patrick Kruger, Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi

WI Vs SA, 1st T20I: Fantoss Fantasy Tips

WI Vs SA, 1st T20I: Winner prediction

Despite West Indies being the hosts, South Africa look like a better team on team sheet. In head-to-head between the two teams, the Proteas have an 11-8 edge over the Men in Maroon.  

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