The three-match T20I series between West Indies Women and South Africa Women will get underway on 31 August. All matches will take place at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua.
West Indies will miss Stafanie Taylor in the series. Identified as a primary contact of a Covid-19 case in Jamaica, she is currently in self-isolation. She will return to the lineup for the five-match ODI series, starting 8 September at Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua. Anisa Mohammed will captain West Indies in her absence.
West Indies are coming to this contest after beating Pakistan at home in both T20Is and ODIs. They will heavily rely on Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin for their all-round abilities, while Shamilia Connell and Shakera Selman will be the key bowlers.
South Africa are the slightly stronger side on paper. Dane Van Niekerk, Marizanne Kapp, and Shabnim Ismail recently won the inaugural Women’s Hundred with the Oval Invincibles. Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt were also in decent form in that competition.
South Africa last played a T20I game against India this March. They won that three-match series 2-1. Before that in January, they beat Pakistan Women by 2-1 as well.
Antigua is a low-scoring venue. They hosted three T20Is in the West Indies versus Pakistan series, where the average first-innings total was 121.
Head to Head
West Indies have met South Africa 17 times in T20Is. They have won 13, and lost four.
Betway Fantasy Tips
– Bet on South Africa. They have got enough firepower in their batting, and also have a strong bowling unit.
– Pick Matthews and Kapp as captain and vice-captain respectively. They can produce good value with both bat and ball.
– Do not ignore van Niekerk. She was the Player of the Series in the Women’s Hundred.
Probable XIs
West Indies Women: Anisa Mohammed (c), Kycia Knight (wk), Hayley Matthews, Deandra Dottin, Britney Cooper, Qiana Joseph, Kyshona Knight, Chedean Nation, Shakera Selman, Shamilia Connell, Aaliyah Alleyne.
South Africa Women: Dane van Niekerk (c), Lizelle Lee (w), Laura Wolvaardt, Mignon du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Shabnim Ismail, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayobanga Khaka, Masabata Klaas.
Prediction
South Africa should win the contest, and take a 1-0 lead.