The West Indies are set to face South Africa in the first of two Tests from today at the Darren Sammy ground in St Lucia and the big question is can the Caribbean side continue their impressive form?
Since the turn of the year the Windies have played four Tests, beating Bangladesh 2-0 and drawing 0-0 with Sri Lanka in the Caribbean.
Because of those performances, the West Indies have moved to sixth in the International Cricket Council Test rankings, one above their South African opponents.
At the center of their resurrection is new captain, Kraigg Brathwaite.
The 28-year-old right hander has been the mainstay at the top of the order, averaging 48.25 in 2021 having scored a century and two fifties in his last eight innings.
Brathwaite, however, opted to play County cricket in England where he scored 295 runs from 11 innings with a best of 60, prior to the upcoming series.
The West Indies will now have to find a new partner for Brathwaite since his usual companion, John Campbell, has been dropped from the side.
The main contenders to fill Campbell’s position are Kieran Powell and Shai Hope.
Both batsmen are making a return to the side on the backs of exceptional performances in the build up to the series.
Hope has enjoyed success in the 50-over version of the game and has continued those performances in the longer version with scores of 79 and 106 in the four-day Best v Best match. Hope has opened in five matches back in 2015-2016 where he averages just 14. However, he has proven himself as a solid middle order batsman with an average of 50 batting at the number five position and an average of 32 batting at number four.
Like Hope, Powell, who, last played Test cricket in 2018, enjoyed some time in the middle with scores of 22 and 95 in the four-day Best vs Best practice match.
The 31-year-old is a bonafide opener with 33 matches in that position. He has scored three centuries and four fifties at the top of the order where he averages 26.25.
The middle order seems to be settled with Nkrumah Bonner, Kyle Mayers and Jermaine Blackwood solidifying themselves with their performances.
Mayers, who made a double century on debut against Bangladesh, followed up that performance with two half centuries against Sri Lanka at home while Bonner followed up his two half centuries in Bangladesh with a match defining 113 not out in the Caribbean.
Both batsmen are averaging over 60 from their four Tests.
However, in the Best V Best match, Bonner scored 0 and 1 while Mayers scored 0 and 40. While it may very well be considered an off day, the pair will likely retain their positions in the middle.
Blackwood, is likely to be an automatic choice having been named vice-captain. He has been impressive since his second coming especially in 2020 where he averaged 42.
That average has dipped to 19.5 in 2021 with just a single fifty-plus score from eight innings. His scores in the Best v Best match were 85 and 24.
It is unlikely Joshua Da Silva will lose his spot in the XI since he will be behind the stumps as the main choice wicketkeeper in which case Hope will be an automatic selection but Da Silva has continued to grow from strength to strength behind the stumps and in front. His fitness has continuously improved while his batting average of 37 is decent.
Nevertheless, the number-one ranked all-rounder in Jason Holder may continue to bat at six to complete a solid batting line up. His home average of 43 is better than his away average and career average of 33. An impressive 2019 where he averaged 49 took a hit in 2020 where his average slipped down to 27 but in 2021, though playing just two Tests, Holder is currently averaging 69 with a best of 71 not out. He is the highest ranked batsman in the side at 38.
Holder’s bowling prowess is also much to admire, often getting the valuable breakthroughs. His ability to swing the ball and get late movement off the wicket has made him one of the most impactful bowlers of the bowling attack.
It is also no surprise he brings a spirited approach in the field, usually taking brilliant catches in the slip cordon.
Holder is expected to partner with Kemar Roach, who has assumed the responsibility as the leader of the pace attack and Alzarri Joseph but in the absence of the injured, Shannon Gabriel it will be interesting to see if West Indies will go with the inexperienced Jayden Seales for a four-prong pace line up.
If not, it could mean West Indies go for two spinners with all-rounder Roston Chase teaming up with Rakheem Cornwall. Chase was exceptional with his off-spin in the Best v Best match, taking five wickets while chipping in with scores of 45 and 35. Cornwall on the other hand had success with both bat and ball in Tests, scoring back to back half centuries against Sri Lanka to add to his 31 wickets in his seven Tests. Together, the pair could see West Indies batting depth extending to eight.
Decoding South Africa
With West Indies’ bowling being their strong suit over the past few years, South Africa’s inexperienced batting line up could be within the firing line.
South Africa’s batting has gone about their business much like West Indies, beating Sri Lanka 2-0 before going down to Pakistan 0-2. South Africa have scored just two 300-plus scores in those four matches including a mammoth 621 when the now retired Faf du Plessis came up one short of a double ton.
However, new captain Dean Elgar has been the shining light for the Proteas.
The 33-year-old opener is their most experienced batsman with 67 Tests under his belt and with 13 centuries at an average of 39.8, he will be one of West Indies’ biggest threats this series.
Former Under-19 captain, Aiden Markram has played 24 matches so far and with an average over 40, he can provide stability at the top of the order with Elgar.
Along with Elgar, wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock and all-rounder, Temba Bavuma with 51 and 44 matches are the next most experienced and will provide the catalyst of the middle order.
Apart from the quartet, the batting looks inexperienced. Five players in the South African side are uncapped including Keegan Peterson. The 27-year-old right hander has played 97 first-class matches with 16 hundreds and 26 half centuries at an average of 40 and is in line to make a debut along with Sarel Erwee, who has 90 first-class matches to his name with nine tons and 34 half centuries.
Kyle Verreynne is another uncapped player who has shown potential in first-class cricket, averaging 56 from his 45 first-class matches.
On the other hand, South Africa’s bowling attack seems settled with the experienced Kagiso Rabada leading the way. With 45 Tests and over 200 wickets, Rabada will need to lend his expertise to the likes of Lungi Ngidi who has played eight matches and taken 24 wickets.
Anrich Nortje, since his debut has set the stage on fire with his pace and control, taking 39 wickets in 10 matches including 5-56 against Pakistan and 6-56 versus Sri Lanka while Beuran Hendricks can provide a bit of variation with his left-arm seam as well as Marco Jansen.
Keshav Maharaj with his left arm orthodox is the most experienced spinner with 120 wickets from 34 matches while left-arm wrist spinner, Trabaz Shamzi, has a wealth of experience playing in the Caribbean Premier League. Left-arm orthodox, George Linde has bowled decently in his three Tests and could make the playing XI if South Africa opt for second specialist spinner. He impressed in the second Test against Pakistan where he took 5-64.
Should South Africa opt for variation, uncapped off-spinner, Prenelan Subrayen should be the front runner with 145 first-class wickets to his name.
West Indies Squad for the first Test: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales
South Africa squad: Dean Elgar (captain), Temba Bavuma (vice-captain), Quinton de Kock, Sarel Erwee, Beuran Hendricks, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Anrich Nortje, Keegan Peterson, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lizaad Williams, Prenelan Subrayen, Marco Jansen
