Coming up NexT RSA vs WI, Durban Starts on Jan 14 only on QMN Sports Commentary Preview Twice South Africa batted first, twice they posted competitive scores (165 and 231) and then ran into a marauding Chris Gayle. A stark contrast to the Test series that preceded this. Perhaps, a glowing indication of where West Indies priorities in cricket lie. The teams now travel to Durban, for the final game of the T20 series, where another run feast awaits the teams. While the 2012 T20 WC champions have a chance to blank the hosts 3-0, South Africa will look to pull one back. South Africa: South Africa have opted to rest their captain Faf du Plessis for the dead rubber with an eye on keeping the star batsman fresh for the upcoming World Cup. In his absence, Justin Ontong will lead the side. JP Duminy, who had earlier been picked in the T20 squad, with an eye on making his return for the final T20 game, is now scheduled to feature only in the ODIs. South Africas inexperienced bowling attack faces the biggest question mark ahead of another potentially high scoring game in Durban. Only Imran Tahir, the legspinner, succeeded in maintaining an acceptable economy in the two matches. The hosts replaced Kagiso Rabada and Wayne Parnell with Merchant de Lange and left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso without any success. The final T20 in Durban presents a final chance for fringe and younger players to put their hands up before South Africa switch to their World Cup combination for the seven-match ODI series to follow. West Indies: With an array of hard hitters at their disposal, West Indies have made merry on the batting-friendly tracks in South Africa. Chris Gayle, in particular, has looked in the record-breaking mood that is often on display in franchise cricket. In the first game, he scored the fastest T20I fifty. In the second, his 90 helped the Windies achieve the highest successful chase in T20I history. Even after Gayle, the follow-up batsman have looked every bit as intimidating as Gayle, during their relatively brief sojourns at the crease. They have been very happy chasing in the series and itll be interesting to see how the team changes its approach, should they be asked to set a target. Much like their South African counterparts, the Caribbean bowlers have copped quite a battering. However, against an experimental South Africa side, Darren Sammys men remain overwhelming favourites to finish the T20 series with a 3-0 scoreline. Pitch and Conditions: Short square boundaries and a pitch hiding no demons means there will be more runs on offer in Durban. However, theres a 30% chance of showers on Wednesday night, threatening to affect the game. Statistics and Trivia: Only two hundreds in T20I have come in losing causes and both involved South Africa and West Indies. In a World Cup game in 2007, West Indies lost despite Gayles 117. Faf du Plessis pipped that record from Gayle with his 119 in the last game failing to prevent defeat. Quotes: If you miss (the length), he (Chris Gayle) punishes -Faf du Plessison Chris Gayles batting exploits. Our performances show why weve won a T20 WC. This is our format -Darren Sammymade no attempts to hide his inner feelings about the T20 format. Teams: West Indies(From): Chris Gayle, Dwayne Smith, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin(w), Andre Russell, Darren Sammy(c), Jason Holder, Ashley Nurse, Sheldon Cottrell, Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite, Andre Fletcher, Lendl Simmons South Africa(From): Morne van Wyk(w), Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw, Farhaan Behardien, David Miller, Justin Ontong(c), Wayne Parnell, David Wiese, Kyle Abbott, Imran Tahir, Aaron Phangiso, Marchant de Lange, Kagiso Rabada, Jean-Paul Duminy
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 14:33:25 +0000
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