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Match Predictions
It is the first time since the ICC World T20 in 2016 that West Indies and South Africa square off in a T20I. The last time these two sides played a bilateral T20I series was back in January 2015. This will also be South Africa’s first T20I in the Caribbean in 11 years.
West Indies have been in pretty good form in T20Is. They struggled quite a bit in 2019 but have come back well since then. Since the start of the year 2020, the Kieron Pollard-led side have won five games and have lost four. Two of their games were washed out.
West Indies have named a strong squad for the bumper home season. Their batting line-up wears a scary look and has match-winners right throughout. Andre Russell returns to international cricket after a gap of 15 months and he adds greater depth to the already strong middle-order. West Indies are a side that are filled with all-rounders which may make the bowling may seem the slightly weaker aspect when compared to the batting.
On the other hand, South Africa’s form in T20I cricket has been abysmal. They have played the fourth-most number of games since January 2020 – 16 and yet, they have won a mere four matches (two in 2020 and two in 2021). It is the batting that has been very inconsistent and their batting order hasn’t really been fixed either. Meanwhile, the bowling has fared decently.
There has been a lot of chopping and changing for the Proteas. They have used as many as 29 players in these 16 games. However, quite a few first-choice players return for this five-match T20I series against West Indies. Quinton de Kock alongside the pace trio of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi look all set to play their first T20I match since the T20I series against England at home in late 2020 and that will bolster the side.
Thus, West Indies might just start this game and series as slight favourites. But with South Africa having their best players back, they cannot be counted out.
SuSummary
this rivalry between West Indies and South Africa, it is the latter who are ahead on head-to-head count but not by much. The Proteas have won six games while West Indies have won four games. However, South Africa had five out of their six wins till 2010. In the last four games that these two sides have played, West Indies have won three. South Africa are unbeaten against West Indies in West Indies.
| PLACE | Total Number of Games | Number of games won by West Indies | Number of games won by South Africa |
| In West Indies | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| In South Africa | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Neutral Venue | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Overall | 10 | 4 | 6 |