Not much time is there for South Africa to dwell on the crushing defeat in the first T20I. They take on the same opponent at the same venue in less than 24 hours.
The change of format did affect the South Africans. The same set of pacers – Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi – who wreaked havoc just few days ago in white flannel were clobbered all around the park in the first match.
West Indies are still the reigning ICC T20 champion (though it has admittedly been well over five years). And they played like one yesterday. The squad looks threatening with the presence of T20I freelancers like Chris Gayle and Andre Russell. For the first time in over six years, Gayle, Russell, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard played together.
West Indies made a mockery of a 161-run target. They hunted it down with five overs to spare. Evin Lewis’ blistering knock must have brought a sigh of relief to the camp, considering his recent woes of the opener. Chris Gayle is 41, but not once did he let his fans feel that. His strokes were as flamboyant as they used to be two decades ago.
For South Africa, Wiaan Mulder replaced Dwaine Pretorius, who has tested positive for the Coronavirus. Temba Bavuma himself admitted their over-reliance on the pace attack to win games.
On the batting front, Reeza Hendricks started well, hitting two fours and a six but got out on 17. Bavuma could not hit boundaries with ease, putting immense pressure on Quinton de Kock. They may play the same unit from the first game.
Head to Head:
South Africa still lead by 6-5.
Probable XIs
West Indies: Lendl Simmons, Shimron Hetmyer, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Jason Holder, Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Fabian Allen, Kevin Sinclair, Obed McCoy
South Africa: Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Janneman Malan, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, George Linde, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi
Prediction
Expect West Indies to make 2-0.