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1st T20I Preview: Move over Test cricket, the Calypso are back in the hunt against South Africa

In their latest video on social media posted by the Cricket West Indies, hard-hitting all-rounder Andre Russell is seen smashing some deliveries out of the park in the nets. It's a classic West Indian move, in the face of adversity, smash it out of the park, turn the game on its head. And Russell is not alone, across the world, there is enough evidence to suggest that the West Indian flair in the shortest format of the game is well revered.

The advent of the T20 series helps in the context too. West Indies are in familiar territory now and they finally get a chance to, well, forget the nightmare that the Caribbean side suffered during the Test series against South Africa earlier. 

They are set to host South Africa in a five-match T20I series in Grenada beginning on Saturday (June 26, 2021). 

The T20I squad though won’t be the same as the Tests and has the likes of Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, captain Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Russell and Fidel Edwards. The Caribbean side is one of the lethal teams when it comes to T20I format. 

But on the other side, they are facing South Africa who are equally dangerous if not more. The Proteas do have some exciting batsmen in the ranks but it's their fast bowlers who are pretty dangerous on their day. 

The African team suffered a defeat in the last T20I series that they played against Pakistan and would be looking to change fortunes for themselves against West Indies. 

So, an exciting encounter can be expected when the West Indies batsmen face the South African pace attack. 

Match Details

Match – West Indies vs South Africa – 1st match

Venue – National Cricket Stadium, St George’s, Grenada

Time – 11:30 PM IST, 06:00 PM IST

Where to watch live – Fancode

Pitch Report

The ground has hosted only one T20I so far and witnessed a high-scoring clash between West Indies and Ireland. Ireland who batted first posted 208/7 in 20 overs after riding on a 47-ball 95 from Paul Stirling. In reply, West Indies just fell of the score by 4 runs and ended up with 204/7 on the board. 

There are chances of rain in the afternoon as well which might cause delay in the game. 

So going by the previous game at the venue and the chances of rain, it could get tricky for the teams to choose if they want to bat or bowl first. Losing the toss won't hurt, but if possible, just going by the sheer amount of runs scored in the last encounter. Bat first.

Team News

West Indies: The home side is seeking to turn tables in the T20Is after they suffered a thumping defeat in the Tests. The side has the firepower in the batting department especially with Chris Gayle in the top-order and Russell, Pollard and Bravo in the middle. 

Apart from the batting, the conditions may help Pollard and Bravo with the ball as well. The two players have the ability to deceive the batsmen with their slower ones and instances of the same have been witnessed during the IPL. 

South Africa: South Africa suffered a blow ahead of the T20I series after all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius tested positive for COVID-19. The cricketer didn’t travel with the squad to Grenada. Though, he was asymptomatic and is following the protocols. Meanwhile, Wiaan Mulder has replaced Pretorius. 

Captain Temba Bavuma is also returning to the squad after he had missed the Test series first with a hip injury and then a dislocated finger. The South African team also has a strong batting line up but the eyes would be glued to the pacers in testing conditions and against a batting unit that is pretty dangerous. 

Probable XI

West Indies: Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Lendl Simmons, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Kieron Pollard (C), Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Hayden Walsh Jr, Oshane Thomas

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, George Linde, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Anrich Nortje

Fantasy XI

Quinton De Kock, Lendl Simmons, Chris Gayle (VC), David Miller, Aiden Markram, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Andre Russell (C), Kieron Pollard, Sheldon Cottrell, Dwayne Bravo, Kagiso Rabada

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