West Indies, South Africa set to lock horns in T20Is after five years
Overview:
National Cricket Stadium, St George's, Grenada
26 June, 14:00 Local
Even though they dominated in Tests, the Proteas will be mindful of the challenges that an experienced T20 side like West Indies possesses especially with the likes of Dwayne Bravo, Chris Gayle and Andre Russell back in action alongside white-ball specialists Evin Lewis, Nicholas Pooran, Lendl Simmons, and Shimron Hetmyer under the captaincy of Kieron Pollard.
South Africa will find confidence in their pace attack which was the undoing of the West Indies team in Tests. The Proteas find hefty options in Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Sisanda Magala, and Lizaad Williams with the latest addition of left-arm seamer Beuran Hendricks.
Two changes in South Africa’s T20I squad, which will face West Indies in first of the five T20Is on 26 June:
— ICC (@ICC) June 24, 2021
🔸 Wiaan Mulder replaces Dwaine Pretorius
🔸 Beuran Hendricks added as cover
Which of the two teams will come out on top?#WIvSA pic.twitter.com/9lClCjb8T3
Remember the last time:
It was the Super 10 stage of the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup when the two sides last locked horns in the format. In a low-scoring thriller, West Indies came out on top with just three wickets in hand and two balls to spare.
The veteran trio of Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell picked two wickets each and restricted South Africa to 122/8 despite Quinton de Kock's 46-ball 47. West Indies found the chase tricky when they were reduced to 100/6 in the 17th over but Marlon Samuels' knock of 43 steered Windies to safety before Carlos Braithwaite sealed the fate with a six in the final over.
What they said:
Phils Simmons (West Indies coach):"These upcoming T20Is are crucial in terms of our preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup. We have assembled a very solid squad with experienced world-class match-winners and some exciting young talented players, ready to explode onto the global stage and do great things for West Indies cricket."
**Quinton de Kock (South Africa batsman): "**Kagiso Rabada is a world-beater and world-class, and what we expect from him and he expects of himself. He's a great character to have. I'm glad I don't have to face Ngidi and Nortje; I just have to face them in the nets."
