West Indies and South Africa will meet on 3 July in the decider of the T20I series, at St George’s, Grenada. West Indies have levelled the five-match series 2-2 after beating South Africa by 21 runs in their last encounter.
Having won two out of their last eight T20I games, Kieron Pollard’s West Indies are carrying a poor record in the deciders since March 2019. Both their wins came against Sri Lanka.
South Africa, too, have suffered eight defeats in 10 deciders they have participated in T20Is. Since beating New Zealand twice in 2012, they are yet to seal a series in the final game. In fact, they are in a five-series losing streak in this format.
Trailing 1-2, West Indies included Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Chris Gayle, and Andre Russell in the fourth T20I. This was the first time in six years that all four were featured in the same line-up. They all combined to script a comeback.
Riding on Pollard’s unbeaten 25-ball 51, West Indies posted 167/6 after being asked to bat. Coming to defend, Gayle removed Reeza Hendricks with his first ball. Bravo then returned figures of 4-0-19-4, while Russell got Aiden Markram and David Miller in his 2-30. In the end, they restricted South Africa to 146/9.
Barring Rassie van der Dussen, South Africa’s middle-order has been an area of concern in the series. On the other hand, their bowling unit, especially spinners George Linde and Tabraiz Shamsi, have been standout performers for them. Quinton de Kock, who has been in stupendous form in the tour, will be once again in focus.
Head to Head
South Africa have played West Indies 14 times. They have won eight and lost six.
Probable XIs
West Indies: Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Kieron Pollard (c), Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Kevin Sinclair, Obed McCoy, Fidel Edwards
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, George Linde, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi
Prediction
West Indies to win and seal the series.