A new challenge awaits South Africa as they lock horns with West Indies in Match 18 of the T20 World Cup at Dubai International cricket stadium on Tuesday, October 26th.
Both the teams have something to prove after suffering a loss in their opening match of the tournament. West Indies got their title defence off to possibly the worst start when they were blown away for a paltry 55 by a fiery English side. South Africa's batters were no better and limped their way to an under par 118 against Australia.
The defending champions will need to rethink their 'batting' strategy or lack thereof. Their 'hit out' mentality will be their downfall on these kind of sluggish wickets.
Kieron Pollard will hope his men can turn their tournament around and learn to adapt to conditions fast and it might be time to consider bringing in Roston Chase to settle things down in that stacked line up.
"We got to assess the situation at the time and play according to the situation. So, there's enough experience in the team for that; any two batsmen in there at the same time would have that experience to assess the situation and play accordingly. We will continue to be in our aggressive state, but our shot-selection and assessment of the situation must be a lot better." - Phil Simmons said.
Aiden Markram was the lone warrior in a dismal batting performance. He's been consistently scoring runs for the Proteas in the T20I format. He remained calm during his innings when things were falling apart at the other end. The other batters will need to step up and apply themselves better going forward.
The positives both teams can take from their opening fiasco were their bowling units. South Africa's bowlers went down fighting and the fielding was electric but unfortunately with a meagre score on the board, it was always going to be tough. Same can be said of the West Indies bowlers.
"We've been looking back at that (T20I series in the West Indies) and seeing how in the games so far here (in the UAE) how people have played and won but also about how batsmen are going to find a way to score off him and without him being such of a threat. - Simmons on Tabraiz Shamsi
An energetic Kagiso Rabada addressed the media ahead of their clash and echoed the words, "Tomorrow is a new day". The first match is behind them and they need to look forward. The Proteas seem up for the challenge and the mood in the set up is still "positive". Rabada reiterated that they also see their batting as a concern but don't feel the need to harp on it all the time and that the batters know what they have to do.
"It wasn't the ideal start with the bat. You want both departments to balance each other out. We have to perform well in both. We have to access the conditions and adapt. That's the challenge we're faced with", Rabada said.
The Dubai wicket seems a bit two paced. There is something in it for the spinners and as well as bounce on offer for the pacers. The batters will need to apply themselves to the crease.
Thus far, there's been a low scoring match, but in Sunday's match we saw Pakistan chase down a 150+ target with ease. Teams will definitely fancy chasing while making a decision at the toss.
Probable XI
South Africa:
Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi
West Indies:
Evin Lewis, Lendl Simmons, Chris Gayle/Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Kieron Pollard (c), Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Akeal Hosein, Obed McCoy, Ravi Rampaul/Hayden Walsh
