South Africa and West Indies will lock horns in the first of three-match ODI series on March 16 at Buffalo Park in East London. The Proteas are coming into the series having whitewashed the Windies in the Tests by 2-0. They played their last ODI series against England in February 2023 (Jan-Feb) which they won by 2-1.
On the other hand, West Indies last played an ODI series against New Zealand in August 2022. They’re ranked on the eighth position in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League with 88 points to their name. However, the upcoming series will not affect their standings as it’s not a part of the Super League. After being whitewashed in the Tests, West Indies will look to make a comeback in the ODI series.
SA vs WI Match Details:
Venue: Buffalo Park, East London
Date and Time: March 16, Thursday, 4:30 PM (IST)
TV – Star Sports Network
Live Streaming – FanCode
SA vs WI Pitch Report:
A total of 25 ODIs have been played at Buffalo Park with teams batting first winning 13 games. The average first innings score at the venue is 225 while the highest total recorded at the venue is 369/6 by South Africa against Bangladesh. The pitch at the venue offers great assistance to fast bowlers as they’re able to extract good bounce out of it while the spinners will also come to the party in the middle overs.
SA vs WI Probable Playing XIs:
South Africa (SA):
Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Tristan Stubbs, Tony de Zorzi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lungi Ngidi, Gerald Coetzee, Bjorn Fortuin, Sisanda Magala
West Indies (WI):
Shai Hope (c) (wk), Brandon King, Shamarh Brooks, Nicholas Pooran, Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Odean Smith, Akeal Hosein, Shannon Gabriel
SA vs WI Probable Best Performers
Probable Best Batter
Temba Bavuma:
The South African Test captain is fresh from a hundred in the last game and also scored a century in the last ODI series against England in January 2023. Bavuma will look to continue his good form and play another big innings to help his side win the first ODI.
Probable Best Bowler
Lungi Ngidi
The speedster picked 4/62 in the last ODI against England and has been bowling well in 2023. Ngidi will look to give his side some early strikes with the new ball and rattle the West Indies’ top order.