West Indies and South Africa will face each other in the fourth T20I tonight. Proteas bounced back in style and won back-to-back games. They now have a golden opportunity to seal the series.
Match Timings: July 01, 11:30 PM IST
Team Preview
West Indies and South Africa will meet again on the same ground for the fourth T20I. South African side did a good job by defending one more total and proved their class. West Indies failed to chase down 168 and it was the third game of the series when the hosts were chasing a total. On all occasions, South Africa posted around 160-170. In the first game, World Champions thrashed Proteas by chasing the total in 15 overs but they suffered two defeats in the next two games.
South Africa has to improve in their batting and they cannot rely on one good knock. De Kock scored a fine half-century but middle-order failed to deliver one more time. Markram and Dussen got a good start but they didn’t convert it into big. Obed McCoy bagged a 4-wicket haul and Bravo picked three wickets. Shamsi was a shining star and he bowled another tight spell.
West Indies openers added 55 runs for the opening wicket and at one stage, they were 104/4. West Indies required 64 runs off 46 balls which was an easy task for the hosts when they had Pollard and Russell in middle but they choked in death-overs. Nortje defended 15 runs in the final over and South Africa won it by 1 run.
It was South Africa’s fourth win in the last 10 games and they can eye the first T20I series win after a long break. In the covid outbreak, they suffered three series defeats in T20Is. Meanwhile, West Indies can suffer another T20I series loss as they last lost to New Zealand in December 2020. They beat Sri Lanka 2-1 in their previous home assignment.
West Indies has to change their approach and they cannot go with the hitting formula on every pitch. If they go in a similar fashion, then they will be exposed in the home season. Their next assignments are against Australia and Pakistan. Proteas should be proud of their bowlers for defending back-to-back totals and they can’t lose the winning pattern. It was the first time when we saw full South Africa side under Bavuma. South Africa are favourites tonight.
Pitch Report
St George’s surface in Grenada is a decent batting wicket and it allows spinners to dominate the game. The track is getting slower due to its sluggish behaviour. Chasing would be an ideal call after winning the toss.
Possible XI
West Indies
Evin Lewis, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Kieron Pollard (c), Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Dwayne Bravo, Fabian Allen, Obed McCoy, Kevin Sinclair
South Africa
Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, George Linde, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi
Key Players
West Indies
Fabian Allen
Kieron Pollard
South Africa
Rassie van der Dussen
Quinton de Kock
