South Africa might feel a little unlucky to fail to get a result from the first Test, which they were in charge of for most of proceedings after the weather robbed them of vital overs.
West Indies v South Africa – Second Test
15-19 August 2024
Providence Stadium, Georgetown
The series moves to the Providence Stadium in Guyana for the climax and the Proteas will be desperate to secure more World Test Championship points.
This match will be just the third Test played at the venue and the first in which the West Indies have not hosted Asian opposition. While the West Indies have won one and lost one of the Tests played here the most recent of those was in 2011 so that is unlikely to have a bearing on the upcoming match.
To Win Match
West Indies 3/1 | Draw 15/4 | South Africa 13/20
Veteran fast bowler Kemar Roach is the only player in either group to have played a Test at this venue but the West Indians should all have some experience of playing red-ball cricket in Guyana.
The pitch has a reputation for being slower and we could see the spinners in the West Indies team shaken up a little after a first Test where they didn’t deliver while a visiting tweaker took eight scalps.
However, they have only have the off-spin of Bryan Charles as backup in the current squad with Gudakesh Motie and Jomel Warrican playing the opener.
Alick Athanaze’s resistance in the first Test will give the West Indies a boost but they might be nervous about another showdown with a South African team who seemed to get on top of them.
Keshav Maharaj starred with the ball on a surface that helped him a bit more than expected but his execution of skills should also be lauded.
South Africa must consider whether to deploy their second frontline spin option in Dane Piedt and who might make way for the off-spinner.
The Proteas’ least effective bowlers in the first Test were Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder and with Mulder adding batting prowess it seems more likely that the former would be axed to make way for Piedt.
South Africa will probably continue with a top order made up of six specialist batters with wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne at seven. Ryan Rickelton seems to be the batsman most likely to lose out if that changes.
Verdict: South Africa 13/20
If the weather plays along South Africa should have the edge.
