South Africa v West Indies 1st T20 Prediction & Betting Tips

South Africa triumphed against West Indies in the first Test by a big margin of an innings and 220 runs while the second game ended in a draw and the visitors are facing another defeat in the third one. Two teams will embark for three T20 match series which can bring much entertainment along with tough fight from them. The Proteas currently hold the fourth position on the ICC Twenty20 ranking with 3076 points and a rating of 118. The Caribbeans are placed at no. seven spot carrying 2742 points and hold a rating of 110 whereas the Lankan Lions are ruling in the shortest versions of the game with 131. South Africa lost three T20 series in Australia against the hosts at 2-1 and the only match between West Indies and Bangladesh at Warner Park, Basseterre, St. Kitts, on August 27, 2014, ended without any result.

Players to watch

Rilee Rossouw, Reeza Hendricks and Jean-Paul Duminy were the main scorers for Proteas vs. Kangaroos while Faf du Plessis, Frahaan Behardien and Morne van Wyk can be handy with the willow. The bowling department will be looked after by Kyle Abbott, Wayne Parnell, Marchant de Lange and Imran Tahir.

The strong batting line up of West Indies comprises Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons and Dwayne Smith who are among the most attacking batsmen in T20 field. Darren Sammy and Andre Russell are renowned all-rounders while their formidable bowling battery will revolve around Carlos Brathwaite, Sheldon Cottrell, Andre Fletcher, Jason Holder and Sulieman Benn.

Time & Venue

Friday, January 9, 2015 @ 16:00 GMT, 18:00 local at Newlands, Cape Town.

Weather

Prediction of strong winds with the temperatures around 18-27ᵒC.

Toss

The winning captain will most likely opt to chase the target.

The Pitch

Most of the Windies batsmen struggled against the quality bowling of the Proteas in the second Test at the same venue and the home batsmen almost enjoyed batting.

Teams

South Africa –  Morne van Wyk (wk), Reeza Hendricks/Rilee Rossouw, Faf du Plessis (capt), Farhaan Behardien, David Miller, David Wiese/Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, David Wiese, Kagiso Rabada, Marchant de Lange, Imran Tahir

West Indies – Chris Gayle, Dwayne Smith, Lendl Simmons, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Marlon Samuels, Kieron Pollard, Jason Holder, Darren Sammy (capt), Andre Russell, Sulieman Benn, Sheldon Cottrell

Prediction

The re-enforced West Indian side is in a position to win the opening encounter.