Tri-series 2016, 1st ODI: Windies and Proteas aim for a solid start

The tri-series 2016 will commence with the West Indies taking on the mighty South Africans at Guyana in the first ODI. While these two sides will be fresh from the excitement of the recently concluded Indian Premier League, most of the players will be raring to go in the 50-over format. Moreover, these two sides will be meeting for the first time in Guyana, something that adds to the excitement of the fixture.

Venue and pitch details:

The Providence Stadium in Guyana hasn’t seen as many ODIs as it would have liked. Having been inaugurated in the World Cup in 2007 and the final ODI played in 2013, Providence will finally have its blockbuster One-Day international. Dew is expected to play a huge factor in proceedings as the team that has chased has only won on four occasions. The dryness of the surface is expected to even up in the three ODIs scheduled to be played. The average score on this surface is around 240 to 250 with spin expected to play a massive part as well.

Also read – Tri-series 2016: Calypso cricket awaits Aussies and Proteas

Team Analysis:

West Indies

The West Indies enter this match as the T20 world champions. However, that tag could carry little or no weight in the competition ahead as they face a daunting prospect in facing South Africa. With the likes of Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, and Darren Sammy out of the squad, the Windies seem to be cannon fodder once again.

However, with the likes of Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine drafted into the squad, the Windies look like a formidable unit once again. Carlos Brathwaite will be another key member of the side as the Windies look to overhaul a strong South African unit on paper.

South Africa

In recent years, the South Africans have gone from being a force to reckon with to the chokers we all know and love all too well. However, the AB de Villiers-led unit showed some mettle by coming from behind to beat England in the ODI series at home in the fall of 2015.

A torrid World T20 has seen the Proteas take some tough calls in terms of team selection. With spin expected to play an important role in proceedings, Tabraiz Shamsi has been roped in. Shamsi will be an invaluable addition to the side, especially given the fact that he has featured in the Caribbean Premier League before. It also remains to be seen whether the Proteas go in with Aaron Phangiso or not.

Probable XI-

West Indies:

Jason Holder (C), Denesh Ramdin (wk), Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Kieron Pollard, Carlos Brathwaite, Sunil Narine, Sulieman Benn, Jerome Taylor

South Africa:

AB de Villiers (C), Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, JP Duminy, Rilee Rossouw, Chris Morris, Imran Tahir, Kyle Abbott/Tabraiz Shamsi, Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada

StAttack

1. South Africa haven’t played at the Providence Stadium, Guyana since the World Cup in 2007. They have won two of their three matches played at the venue.

2. The West Indies also haven’t played at Guyana since 2013. This was also the last ODI match played at this venue. Moreover, they also have won just 4 of the 8 matches played at the venue.

3. West Indies and South Africa have never faced each other at Guyana before in an ODI.

4. Sunil Narine has the sixth highest wickets tally at this venue with 4 wickets to his name. He is also tied with his skipper Jason Holder.