By CS Chiwanza.
West Indies won the toss and elected to bowl first in their T20I match against South Africa at the Brian Lara Academy in Torouba, Trinidad.
Over the past two CPL seasons, teams batting first have averaged 158.
In the 48 men’s T20s played here teams have scored at 7.38 runs per over.
West Indies have won three of their last five T20Is. The losses came in the last three encounters of the T20 World Cup.
Before the tournament, they defeated South Africa 3-0 in a T20I series.
The visitors got their revenge when they knocked the West Indies out in the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup.
For this series, they selected 11 of the 15 players who were part of their T20 World Cup squad.
Their coach, Darren Sammy is looking to use the three-match series as a vehicle to build a team capable of winning tournaments.
Most of the players selected are expected to be around for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The series provides a perfect platform for younger players like Alick Athanaze and Sherfane Rutherford to learn from more experienced players like Shimron Hetmyer.
Much of the West Indies’ batting will rely on the mercurial Nicholas Pooran, one of the most sought after T20 players around the world and West Indies’ highest run-scorer at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
SA Looking to build depth
Just before the T20 World Cup, South Africa sent a side with regular T20 players and a few debutants.
The plan was to give fringe players opportunities on the international stage.
South Africa’s pre-tournament team lost the series 3-0. But Walter wasn’t fazed.
The plan was to build depth. That is the same mindset Rob Walter has approached this series with.
The Proteas coach is leading a squad that only has six players from the T20 World Cup squad.His intention is to build depth. The absence of their experienced and recognised players means the ‘next generation’ of players can get extended runs.
South Africa have between 32 and 36 bilateral T20s, and Walter hopes this crop of players will have shown a level of consistency that puts them in the reckoning for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
South Africa’s batting unit will be held together by three experienced campaigners, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen and Reeza Hendricks.
The trio has enjoyed an outstanding year on the T20 circuit.
Walter hopes their knowledge and leadership will be wells the younger players like Kwena Maphaka and newbies like Patrick Kruger will tap into.
West Indies: Shai Hope, Alick Athanaze, Nicholas Pooran, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell (capt), Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph
South Africa: Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Aiden Markram (capt), Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Donovan Ferreira, Patrick Kruger, Bjorn Fortuin, Ottneil Baartman, Nandré Burger, Kwena Maphaka.