West Indies will play their second match of the T20 World Cup today against South Africa and will need to get their batting sorted if they are to stand a chance of recording their first win in the competition.
The title holders were embarrassingly routed for 55 in their opening match against England while their next rivals lost a close encounter to Australia.
Both teams will want to have some points on the table but South Africa will feel marginally confident over West Indies.
The African nation won a 3-2 series against the two-time champions and that series served to provide both sides with the necessary exposure to the strengths and weaknesses of both sides.
While Evin Lewis and Lendl Simmons remain the obvious opening option for West Indies due to their squad composition, Chris Gayle at number three remains a concern. Gayle top scored with 13 against England and made 20 in his lone warm up match.
The 42-year-old could be on the chopping block to make way for Roston Chase who enters on the heels of a spectacular Caribbean Premier League and a half-century in the warm up match. There have been speculation that Chase can bat at the number four position and provide an off-spin option to complement left-arm spinner, Akeal Hosein which could mean a promotion for Shimron Hetmyer to number three.
If, however, the West Indies think-tank decides to persist with Gayle Hetmyer could well find himself on the bench.
Chase’s inclusion could also see an opener being dropped and Gayle promoted with Chase slotted lower down the order.
Chase’s inclusion could add stability to the side, given the firepower to come at the lower end of the order in Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell and even Dwayne Bravo.
South Africa will depend heavily on spinners, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi while the pace of Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi have caused headaches for the Caribbean men in the past.
Contrary to the regularized bowling of South Africa, Russell’s bowling remains a concern for West Indies who will be looking at either Pollard or Gayle to make up four overs. Obed McCoy and Ravi Rampaul, who have done well so far will likely retain their spots.
With South Africa unable to handle Australia’s leggie, Adam Zampa, West Indies may be tempted to bring in an extra spinner which could open the door for Hayden Walsh Jr., to enter the fray, especially with conditions favoring the slow bowlers.
Meanwhile, South Africa have also faced some batting woes, managing just 118 in their opening encounter against Australia which just might give the unpredictable West Indies a chance.
David Miller will desperately want some runs under his belt after going through a lean patch while Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma will want their side to get a solid start in order to have Aiden Markram continue his exploits.
Hosein showed his fighting spirit with an impressive spell during the first match while Rampaul and McCoy handled themselves fairly decent.
Assistant coach, Roddy Estwick has suggested Gayle’s off-spin could provide some challenges for teams while Bravo’s death bowling has been the detriment of many.
The first ball bowls off at 06.00 hours today in Dubai.
