South Africa vs West Indies: 4th T20, July 1, 2021, South Africa Tour of West Indies Match Prediction

It will be South Africa vs West Indies, in the 4^th T20 of a five-match series scheduled to played at St Georges Granada on July 1, 2021. We preview the game and make our South Africa vs West Indies T20 Prediction based on an analysis of the state of the two sides heading into the T20 series.

Match Predictions

Analysis

West Indies who have won two world cups would want to preserve their reputation as one of the best teams in this format. But the composition of the West Indian team has changed a lot since they became the champions in 2016 beating England in the finals. Of the players who featured in the World Cup winning team, only Chris Gayle, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Bravo, and Andre Russell are still in the reckoning. Another old timer, Kieron Pollard, could also play a role this year. In fact, Pollard was the captain of the West Indies in the recent home series against Sri Lanka in March 2021. West Indies won the series 2-1. They went into the third match, tied on one match each. The West Indian bowlers delivered and restricted Sri Lanka to 131 for four in their allotted 20 overs. The bowlers who impressed the most were Fabian Allen (1/13), Kevin Sinclair (1/19), Jason Holder (1/27) and Obed McCoy (1/29).

Chasing a modest target, the West Indies manage to win in 19 overs, while losing seven wickets in the process. While the batting was not very dominant some of the key players showed glimpses of their potential. Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis and Nicolas Pooran got off to good starts but failed to convert the starts to big scores. The home team had to rely on Fabien Ellen to score 21 off six balls with three sixes to pull them over the line.

The West Indies selectors have a challenge on their hands as to the best team they can field. Can they rely on the form shown by players in domestic T20 leagues? Will they have to continue to rely on oldies like Gayle and Bravo, or are the Evin Lewises, Nicholas Poorans and Fabian Allens ready to stand up to be counted? 

In this selection challenge, we see an opening for South Africa to assert themselves. We believe that the tourists will gain confidence from their great showing in the test series and press home the psychological advantage. For instance, their fast bowler Rabada rose to his potential in international cricket after a long hiatus. With the burden of captaincy off his shoulders, De Kock could lead the South Africans to greater glory.