Anticipation runs high as South Africa A is set to clash with West Indies A in the inaugural unofficial Test of the West Indies A tour of South Africa 2023, scheduled for November 21 at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, South Africa. The game is poised to begin at 1:30 PM IST amidst predictions of ideal cricket weather.
Presenting an intriguing blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging talents eager to etch their names in international cricket, both sides boast formidable squads for the series. South Africa’s arsenal includes accomplished batsmen like Keegan Petersen, Zubayr Hamza, and Tony de Zorzi, all of whom have donned the Test jersey for the national team. Spearheading the bowling attack will be the likes of Duanne Olivier and Hardus Viljoen, responsible for sending shivers down the spines of various batting line-ups.
Facing them is a West Indies A team captained by the proficient Test player Joshua Da Silva, who has showcased his prowess in 24 Tests with a century and a triplet of fifties. The opening maverick Tagenarine Chanderpaul alongside seamers Jayden Seales and Shermon Lewis are some other significant names to watch.
South Africa A’s recent exploits include a commendable 1-0 victory over Sri Lanka A in June’s two-match unofficial Test series. Meanwhile, West Indies A claimed a series win against Bangladesh A in May-June 2023, reflecting the potential for a closely contested match.
From a tactical standpoint, the pitch at Willowmoore Park appears to favor teams chasing, as evidenced by the past 10 matches where a batting first average score of 291 prevailed against a 70 percent win rate for teams batting second. Under Benoni’s clear skies, with the mercury expected to teeter around 29 degrees Celsius paired with moderate humidity, the team winning the toss might lean towards fielding first.
Fantasy sports enthusiasts are scanning the rosters to identify potential captains and vice-captains. South African pacer Duanne Olivier, with a stellar record of 59 wickets in just 15 Tests, is a popular pick for captain. Alternatively, the maestro of the fast bowl from South Africa, Hardus Viljoen, with an impressive resume of 472 first-class wickets, remains a substantial choice.
For the vice-captaincy role, Joshua Da Silva stands out as a prime contender, amassing significant runs for West Indies in his 25 Tests. Not to be overshadowed by the prowess of their opponents, spinner Kevin Sinclair from West Indies A may play a pivotal role in unsettling the South African batting dominance with his off-breaks, boasting 11 wickets across his seven Tests, including two noteworthy four-wicket hauls.
A composite Fantasy 11 team brimming with potential includes notable figures such as:
– Wicket-keepers: Joshua Da Silva
– Batters: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Keegan Petersen, Zubayr Hamza, Kirk Mckenzie
– All-rounders: Hardus Viljoen, Kevin Sinclair, Kavem Hodge
– Bowlers: Duanne Olivier, Dane Paterson, Shermon Lewis
– Captain: Hardus Viljoen
– Vice-captain: Joshua Da Silva
The historical canvas depicts South Africa A triumphing in three of their five encounters against West Indies A. This statistical edge, coupled with the support of the home crowd, might just tip the scales in favor of South Africa A to commence the series with a resonant victory.
With cricketing fans from both nations and around the world eager to witness the emergence of new cricketing stars, this series promises to offer sensational performances and thrilling moments. Fans can stay updated on all the action and explore World Cup 2023 schedules by liking the Facebook page or following Twitter feeds dedicated to cricket updates. Moreover, the enthusiastic fan base can download the dedicated Cricket app on Android or iOS for live scores and latest developments.