West Indies are all set to take on South Africa in a three-match T20I series starting on Saturday, August 24, with all the matches to be played at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad.
Both these teams last faced each other in the 2024 T20 World Cup in the Caribbean, where Proteas emerged victorious in a close Super Eight match, winning by three wickets.
The two teams have a history of intense competition, particularly in the shortest format of the game. Out of 23 encounters, South Africa hold a thin advantage, having won 12 matches.
West Indies enter this series after a narrow 1-0 defeat in the two-match Test series against South Africa. The first Test ended in a stalemate, but the visitors managed to snatch victory in the second match, winning by 40 runs.
Despite the loss, West Indies can draw strength from their recent success in the T20 format. Earlier this year, they convincingly whitewashed South Africa in a three-match T20I series at home, right before the T20 World Cup 2024
The home team has a formidable lineup brimming with explosive talent. Captain Rovman Powell will lead a squad featuring the likes of Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Johnson Charles, Shai Hope, and Sherfane Rutherford—players capable of turning the game on its head with the bat.
Complementing their batting brilliance, the bowling attack is equally potent, with Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Obed McCoy, and Gudakesh Motie ready to weave their magic on the field. With all this firepower, the West Indies will be eager to start the series on the front foot and make a statement with a win.
Meanwhile, visitors will be without Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, and David Miller. Despite these changes, both teams are expected to play an aggressive brand of cricket.
WI vs SA 1st T20I: Probable Playing XIs
West Indies: Shai Hope, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell (c), Fabien Allen, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Obed McCoy, Shamar Joseph
South Africa: Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Tristan Stubbs (wk), Donovan Ferreira, Wiaan Mulder, Nandre Burger, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Bartman
WI vs SA 1st T20I: Winner Prediction
Considering the overall team composition and familiarity with the conditions, West Indies are the favourites to win the clash.
West Indies vs South Africa squads
West Indies
Rovman Powell (c), Roston Chase (vc), Alick Athanaze, Fabian Allen, Johnson Charles, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd.
South Africa
Aiden Markram (c), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad William.