West Indies vs. South Africa 2021 : REDEMPTION ON CARDS? || 2nd Test
West Indies vs. South Africa 2021
2nd Test – Fri, 18th June
REDEMPTION ON CARDS?
South Africa:
South Africa got off to the ideal start with a decisive win in the first Test. Riding on the back of spectacular bowling performances from the speed trio of Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, and Lungi Ngidi, South Africa cannot fail the series from here on.
Nevertheless, they will be eyeing a series triumph, with the likes of Rassie van der Dussen and Quinton de Kock looking in decent touch. The other batsmen also need to step up.
Possible playing XI: Dean Elgar (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Anrich Nortje, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada.
West Indies:
West Indies, who have done good in the longest format in recent years, couldn’t gather a fight in the first Test. Apart from the duo of Roston Chase and Kemar Roach, none of the West Indies players could come up with noteworthy contributions.
Nevertheless, they can bank on their experience with home conditions as they look to tie the series, although that is simpler said than done. They will want Shai Hope and skipper Kraigg Brathwaite to come up with the good.
Possible playing XI: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Roston Chase, Kyle Mayers, Jermaine Blackwood, Jason Holder, Joshua da Silva (wk), Kemar Roach, Shai Hope, Nkrumah Bonner, Jayden Seales and Rakheem Cornwall.
The venue, Pitch Report, and Toss Prediction:
The second Test between West Indies and South Africa is set to take place at the Daren Sammy National Stadium in St Lucia from this Friday.
The speedsters are anticipated to dictate proceedings yet again, with extra seam movement, swing and bounce available in profusion. The batters will have to abide their time at the crease to see out the new ball. Although there shouldn’t be much turn and grip on offer early on, the spin bowlers should come into play in the latter part of the Test. Both sides will preferably look to bat first upon winning the toss, with the wicket expected to get slower as the game progresses.
Tops Value:
South Africa will begin the Test as the obvious favourites at the odds of 1.64, while West Indies are at 3.75 and draw is at 5.00.
However, one cannot write the Windies off, particularly in this format. With some of the best bowlers in world cricket taking main stage, we should be in for an exciting game of Test cricket in the coming days.
