Ahead of the ICC Women’s World Cup to be played in New Zealand in March-April this year, South Africa and the West Indies will lock horns against each other for a four-match ODI series. The first ODI will be played on January 28 at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
Match Preview
Head to Head
South Africa and the West Indies have played 28 ODIs against each other since 2005. While South Africa has won 14, the West Indies has won 10. Two matches ended in a tie and the other two did not produce any result.
Squads
South Africa: Sune Luus (capt), Chloe Tryon (vice-capt), Andrie Steyn, Anneke Bosch, Ayabonga Khaka, Lara Goodall, Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, Masabata Klaas, Mignon du Preez, Nadine de Klerk, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Raisibe Ntozakhe, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Tazmin Brits, Trisha Chetty, Tumi Sekhukhune
West Indies: Stafanie Taylor (capt), Anisa Mohammed (vice-captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Jannillea Glasgow, Chinelle Henry, Kycia Knight, Mandy Mangru, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Kaysia Schultz, Shakera Selman, Rashada Williams
Players to watch out for
Mignon du Preez:
She is the leading run-getter for South Africa in WODIs with 3554 runs in 129 innings, including two centuries and 17 half-centuries. Out of her two centuries, one century came at the Wanderers, Johannesburg, where all the four ODIs are going to be played. In the absence of Dane van Niekerk, South Africa will want the senior pro to shoulder the batting responsibility.
Shabnim Ismail:
She is the most successful South African bowler in the ODIs. The right arm seamer has 154 wickets in 110 innings at an average of 21.17 and an economy of 3.65. She has a good pace and can bowl well with the new ball. She is an attacking bowler and is more often than not the wrecker-in-chief for the Proteas. She will lead the bowling attack.
Stafanie Taylor:
The West Indian captain is one of the best all-rounders in the world of women’s cricket. With 5000+ runs and 148 wickets in ODIs, she is the vital cog in the West Indian line-up. A lot will depend on her if the West Indies have to beat South Africa. Apart from her stellar all-round abilities, she has been a successful captain winning 22 off 51 matches leading the side.
Anisa Mohammed:
The right arm-off spinner is the highest wicket-taker for the West Indies in WODIs. She has 171 wickets in 127 innings at an average of 20.22 and an economy of 3.47. She has six five-wicket hauls in her ODI career so far. She has been around at the international level for close to two decades. She will be the leader of the West Indian bowling pack.
Pitch
It is a good cricketing venue, which will offer a healthy contest between bat and ball. Two words have been played here between 2013 and 2016. The highest total score here has been 237 and the lowest being 142. The seamers and spinners have been almost equally effective here. South Africa have played two matches here, winning one and losing the other. The West Indies have not played an ODI here.
Weather
There is moderate rain expected, with 6.1mm of precipitation and cloud cover of 54 percent. There is a 73 percent chance of rain in the evening. The average temperature during the daytime will be around 27 °c and the temperature will fall to 17 °c as the day progresses. The humidity will be around 65 percent.
Fantasy playing XI
Kycia Knight, Deandra Dottin, Laura Wolvaardt, Mignon du Preez, Hayley Matthews, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Stafanie Taylor, Anisa Mohammed, Ayabonga Khaka, Shabnim Ismail
Match details
Date: January 28, 2022
Time: 5.30pm IST
Venue: The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.
