South Africa. (Photo Source: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
South Africa and West Indies will lock horns in the third and final T20I at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday, March 28. After losing the opening game by three wickets, South Africa replied by smashing a record chase win in the second game to level the series 1-1 in Centurion.
West Indies chased 132 runs in just 10.3 overs in the first match and then continued their momentum by smashing 258/5 while batting first in the second game. Johnson Charles smashed a 39-ball century to score 118 off 46, and Kyle Mayers added 51 off 27 as West Indies posted a big total. This was a joint fourth-fastest century in T20Is and the fastest by a West Indies cricketer.
But it was all forgotten quickly as Quinton de Kock broke his record to bring up the fastest fifty for South Africa in just 15 balls. He smashed 100 off 44 balls, and Reeza Hendricks scored 68 off 28 to ensure an early win. Captain Aiden Markram smashed 38* off just 21 to chase the target with six wickets and seven balls remaining.
The match turned out as the first T20I game with a 500-plus aggregate score and also broke many T20I records. With the first two matches producing run-fests, fans can expect another high-scoring clash in the decider. Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen replaced Anrich Nortje and Bjorn Fortuin in the second game. Jansen took three wickets, while Rabada failed to create an impact. Nortje is expected to return to playing XI and is likely to replace Sisaanda Magala, who conceded 67 runs in the second game.
West Indies are expected to recall star pacer Alzarri Joseph, who was a surprise exclusion from the second T20I. Alzarri will likely replace either Raymon Reifer or Odean Smith, with both pacers proving costly in the last game.
Pitch Report and Conditions:
The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, favours both batters and bowlers in T20 cricket. The average first innings score here is 142, but fans might expect another high-scoring clash in the decider. Similar to other South African pitches, Johannesburg’s also offers excellent help for the pacers.
Probable Playing XIs for SA vs WI, 3rd T20I
South Africa
The Proteas are likely to stick with the same eleven, but the management is likely to tempt to bring Anrich Nortje in the place of either Sisanda Magala or Wayne Parnell. Marco Jansen will keep his place after taking three wickets in the second game, while Tabraiz Shamsi is likely to keep Bjorn Fortuin on the bench.
Probable Playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markram (c), David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Marco Jansen, Wayne Parnell, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Tabriaz Shamsi
West Indies
Alzarri Joseph was given a rest for the last game, which cost West Indies a significant time in the second match. Alzarri is likely to replace left-arm pacer Raymon Reifer in the only change for the visiting team in the last T20I.
Probable Playing XI: Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Rovman Powell (c), Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Alzarri Joseph, Akeal Hosein, Sheldon Cottrell
SA vs WI Head-to-Head in T20I
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SA vs WI Broadcast Details
Match Timings: 09:30 PM IST, 06:00 PM Local
Live Broadcast: Star Sports Network
Live Streaming: FanCode
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