Massive image: Winds of change in SA cricket
A Take a look at match towards West Indies won’t invite 1000’s of spectators – like those that hogged the stands for the SA20. In spite of everything, South Africa usually are not even within the race for the WTC remaining anymore.
However that might but show to be simply the perfect, pressure-free begin for brand spanking new Take a look at captain Temba Bavuma. Over these months, it has been as a lot a circus for him personally because it has been for his aspect: after being initially snubbed on the SA20 public sale, it was beneath Bavuma’s captaincy that South Africa exited early from the T20 World Cup, earlier than a strike price of 114.64 whereas scoring 180 runs – together with a century – in three ODIs towards England noticed him lastly appeal to a deal on the SA20.
Kind information
(Final 5 matches; most up-to-date first)
South Africa DLLLL
West Indies WDLLW
Within the highlight: Dean Elgar and Kemar Roach
Dean Elgar averages a lowly 15.25 in his final 12 Take a look at innings. All of these got here whereas he was captain, a section he did not significantly appear to get pleasure from with the bat: he averaged solely 28.40 since being named everlasting Take a look at captain in March 2021, with no single century. And whereas it is likely to be too quickly to let him go, he shall be cautious that he’s simply six months away from turning 36, as he shall be by the number of Tony de Zorzi and the return of Aiden Markram into the Take a look at fold.
Kemar Roach has solely performed a single Take a look at in South Africa in a 14-year worldwide profession. Whereas West Indies had been crushed by an innings and 220 runs then, an injured ankle had dominated him out of the match – and the remainder of the Take a look at sequence – after bowling barely 16 overs on the primary day. However since 2015, Roach has grabbed 141 Take a look at wickets at 28.36. He has the tempo and expertise to ship for West Indies on a difficult tour.
Staff information: Gerald Coetzee would possibly make his debut
South Africa have overhauled their set-up from their final Take a look at, which got here towards Australia in January. And with the hosts more likely to subject an all-pace assault in Centurion, even Keshav Maharaj won’t discover a place. Markram is ready to accomplice Elgar on the prime, whereas right-arm fast Gerald Coetzee would possibly make his debut.
South Africa (possible): 1 Dean Elgar, 2 Aiden Markram, 3 Keegan Petersen, 4 Temba Bavuma (capt), 5 Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 6 Ryan Rickelton, 7 Wiaan Mulder, 8 Marco Jansen, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Anrich Nortje, 11 Gerald Coetzee
Regardless of Gudakesh Motie’s 13-wicket haul within the victory over Zimbabwe, and spin-bowling allrounder Roston Chase scoring 70 adopted by 35 within the warm-up on this tour, West Indies won’t discover area to accommodate each spinners. Roach may slot in because the third seamer behind Jason Holder and Shannon Gabriel.
West Indies (possible): 1 Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), 2 Tagenarine Chanderpaul, 3 Kyle Mayers, 4 Raymon Reifer, 5 Jermaine Blackwood, 6 Roston Chase/Gudakesh Motie, 7 Jason Holder, 8 Joshua Da Silva (wk), 9 Alzarri Joseph, 10 Kemar Roach, 11 Shannon Gabriel
Pitch and situations
The pitch at SuperSport has historically been seamer-friendly, with South Africa typically getting the higher of visiting sides by speedy tempo and bounce. 4 of the final 5 Checks there has seen the captain successful the toss bat first. As for the climate, it has been raining quite a bit in Centurion of late, nevertheless it’s principally anticipated to be sunny on Tuesday, the primary day of the Take a look at.
Stats that matter
Quotes
“Nobody died. We went to Australia, we bought a very good beating. There have been classes that guys took individually from it. It was onerous to have a debrief as a result of the administration who had been there, a few of the guys usually are not right here now”
South Africa’s new Take a look at captain Temba Bavuma is not dwelling up to now
Himanshu Agrawal is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo
