The mere mention of West Indies conjures images of 4 giant fast bowlers pounding the ball at ferocious pace targeting the ribs and the head of the batsmen. Almost all the batsmen, throughout the world dreaded the thought of facing upto such a brilliant pace attack. If the West Indian bowlers were menacing for the opposition batsmen, their batsmen were equally intimidating for the opposition bowlers. The combined force of their bowlers and batsmen were a nightmare for any opponent. The decline that the West Indian team have experienced over the last 25 years is incredible. It was more of a free fall. Now, West Indies have a chance to win games.
South Africa travels to West Indies
For South Africa, after all the cancelled tours during their home season, this tour has come as a blessing in disguise.
“Tours to the West Indies are always one of the most highly anticipated tours of them all, not only because of the beauty of the venues, but the quality and competitiveness of the cricket that is in store,” said CSA director of cricket, Graeme Smith.
“We are looking forward to explosive displays of cricket and entertainment on our screens for fans around the world to consume as the two evenly matched countries come together for both Test and T20 cricket.”
Three teams, South Africa, Pakistan & Australia are slated to travel to the West Indies within the next 3 months. Except for South Africa, the rest will only play limited overs series.
Even since the time when South Africa were readmitted into the international fold, they have always hammered the West Indies. It could be in South Africa or in the West Indies. Such was the mastery of South Africa. Their dominance coincided when the West Indies were in terminal decline. However, now, after more than 20 years, both the teams are more or less evenly matched. The ICC rankings which have West Indies one place above South Africa seems to denote the same.
Weaker South Africa
Multiple retirements, quota system and a host of young players who aren’t that experienced enough have weakened the South African team tremendously. Players like Kallis, Smith, de Villiers, Steyn are more or less irreplaceable. This has nicely played into the hands of the West Indies who by the virtue of being the hosts starts the series as favourites. This is a tag that has seldom sat on the West Indies for a very longtime. The West Indies will do well to prepare tracks that will spin because the West Indian spinners are certainly much better than SA’s. If they prepare flat wickets or pacy wickets, it will play into the hands of the South Africans who with the likes of Rabadda and Nortje will run roughshod over the West Indies.
Australian tour
Australia who are under tremendous pressure following Bancroft’s rather unrevealing statements and its aftermath will probably find it little bit easy in the ODIs but will certainly struggle in the T20s. With the pitches likely to be slow, except for Smith, the rest of their batsmen is unlikely to be that effective. If their batsmen struggle, their bowlers will be hard pressed to defend the total.
Next comes Pakistan
Pakistan series is next up for the West Indies. Though Pakistan on paper, is a better side than West Indies, they have traditionally struggled against WI. Infact, Pakistan managed to win their first series in the West Indies only a few years ago when West Indies had become very poor. This time though, they will be playing one test a series of ODIs. I do expect West Indies to prevail in the lone test. However, the ODIs will be equally fought with T20s going to the West Indies.
If West Indies do go on to win the test series against South Africa and Pakistan and more than half of the limited overs, it will increase their confidence tremendously.
Other topics related to South African cricket can be read here, here and here.
If you think West Indies have a good chance to win their very first series against South Africa, please do let me know in the comments section.