South Africa Vs West Indies: DKODING Key Players
Analysing Both The Teams
South Africa – Three matches, three losses. They would probably need to win every game from this point on to stand any chance of making it to the semi-final.
While the bowling has been encouraging so far for South Africa, it is the batting department that needs to be addressed. And they would hope that with Lungi Ngidi an injury doubt, captain Faf du Plessis’ decision to potentially draft in Beuran Hendricks does not disrupt one aspect of their game that has been doing well.
West Indies – It is West Indies bowling that has looked more encouraging than their batting. But with their batting department possessing a litany of international T20 stars, few teams can take the opposition apart with their batting the way West Indies can.
The Key Battle
Andre Russell Vs Kagiso Rabada
Remember the Super Over between Delhi Capitals Vs Kolkata Knight Riders? It was around a month back when these two players were against each other in a Super Over in IPL. The Super Over was no less than heart bouncing. Rabada bowled Russell Muscle by throwing the yorker directly at the middle stump. No just this, Russell had smashed Rabada for a massive six in the same over 2 balls earlier.
It undoubtedly was the most thrilling Super Over experienced by all of us.
Key Players from both the teams
SOUTH AFRICA
Courtesy – ICC
Quinton de Kock (Batsman)
Quinton de Kock has been underwhelming so far in the tournament, but the match against West Indies might just be the perfect time for him to step up and deliver for his side. The fact that the highest opening stand for South Africa so far in the World Cup is only 49 is not a good look for the team, and de Kock will look to do his bit to change that.
WEST INDIES
Courtesy – ICC
Chris Gayle (Batsman)
The big hitter is playing his last World Cup. Gayle is a promising in-form batsman to give a brilliant start to his team in the top-order. The left-hander has featured in 283 ODIs and has 10,151 runs under his belt at 87.14. Gayle scored 135, 50, 162, 77 against England in the five-match ODI series, excluding the third match, which was abandoned, earlier this year.
He scored a 34-ball fifty against Pakistan in his side’s World Cup opener and he scored a quickfire knock of 21 runs against Australia.
Courtesy – ICC
Sheldon Cotrell (Bowler)
Cottrell is known for his signature style of marching and stopping with a salute. In the recent five-match ODI series against England, the fast bowler bagged seven wickets, including a five-for in the second match.
He can be an X-factor for the Caribbean side. Cottrell got an early breakthrough by dismissing New Zealand’s Martin Guptill in a World Cup warm-up match. Against Pakistan in the first match, Cottrell picked the crucial wicket of Imam-ul-Haq.
Pitch Report – What to expect
Rain is forecast around match start time, but nothing severe to affect the game in a big way.
The wicket at Southampton got a nice trim on the eve of the game, resembling the one used for 373 vs 361 game between England and Pakistan last month. Following Yuzvendra Chahal’s exploits in the earlier game, spin too should play a part.
DKODING Analysis
It is quite apparent how the defeats and the drama have left South Africa high and dry just three matches into their campaign.
Let’s face it, South Africa minus Steyn and AB de Villiers look for less menacing.
