Windies, SA meet at Southampton to bring campaign back on track

Two teams who started the tournament as dark horses for Cricket’s ultimate crown, 10 days into the ICC World Cup 2019 fight it out between themselves at the Ageas Bowl in a group fixture on Monday (June 10).

Both teams are still recovering from the loss in their previous games. While the West Indies won their opening game, the Proteas are in the middle of a torrid run of form, having lost all three of their games.

For South Africa, the performance on the field will matter but the controversy that has struck the side regarding AB’s request to return will also unstabalize the dressing room. The campaign has been injury hit and all the load to perform will be on Rabada, Faf Du Plessis, Tahir and Quinton De Kock who were impressive against India. The core of the side needs to step up and stop this landslide of losses.

Also read: Will the famous pace attack of Windies see them through?

West Indies will be content with their campaign so far but will ruin the fact that they didn’t capitalise after reducing the Aussies to 38-4 and allowed them to make a comeback. The batting couldn’t be blamed solely as a few decisions went against the Caribbean side at crucial junctures in the game.

Toss Prediction

South Africa have batted second in all three games and will be desperate to set a target and see whether there is any change in fortune. West Indies have bowled first in both the game and they may look to continue with the same as they have been impressive.

South Africa

Along with poor performances, injuries haven’t helped their case but considering the conditions they may give a chance to Beuran Hendricks instead of Shamsi. Markram may replace Duminy who hasn’t made any impact yet.

Predicted XI: Hashim Amla, Quinton De Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Faf Du Plessis, David Miller, Aiden Markram, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Chris Morris, Imran Tahir and Beuran Hendricks.

West Indies

The Windies will not tinker too much with the side that played the game vs Australia.

Predicted XI: Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Jason Holder, Andre Russell, Carlos Braithwaite, Ashley Nurse, Sheldon Cottrell and Oshane Thomas.