South Africa will be out to push back up the Test rankings and maintain their eight-match unbeaten run against the West Indies in the ultimate format. For the West Indies, this will be a series they will want to win to underline their own progress.
West Indies vs South Africa | 10 – 14 June | Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium
To Win Match
West Indies 18/10
Draw 9/2
South Africa 9/10
West Indies
Kraigg Brathwaite will lead the West Indies into battle and front their batting effort alongside the recalled Darren Bravo.
Nkrumah Bonner has made a stunning start to his Test career but will now have to face the challenge posed by the Proteas pace attack, having taken Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to task.
Rahkeem Cornwall has started to Establish himself in this West Indies side after years of knocking on the door. He is a player who has ‘x-factor’ in spades.
Jason Holder’s form generally dictates how the West Indies do as a team, with the allrounder now freed from the burden of captaincy and prepared to win matches with bat and ball.
South Africa
The Proteas desperately need a series win to buy Mark Boucher more time to turn things around for the national team.
A Test debut looms for Kyle Verreynne, who is expected to slot in somewhere between four and six in the order.
This will be the first Test series in charge for Dean Elgar and it remains to be seen if that will affect the form of South Africa’s most consistent performer.
Wiaan Mulder faces a key series as he seeks to establish himself in the Proteas Test XI. The Proteas are desperate to find a world-class allrounder, and there will be many holding thumbs for Mulder to enjoy a big series in the Caribbean.
The Proteas pace attack remains their great strength, but it is unclear how much aid they will get from the surface in St Lucia.
Verdict: South Africa 9/10
The Proteas should have the firepower to tame the Windies.
