Image Source: AFP
[Saba Sports News] Queen’s Park Oval, where the men’s Test series between West Indies and South Africa starts on Wednesday (August 7), has historically been kind to the visitors.
In March 2001, Daryll Cullinan’s 103 helped secure a 69-run win. In April 2005, South Africa triumphed by eight wickets, thanks to Makhaya Ntini’s stellar bowling (6/95 and 7/37) and Graeme Smith’s 148, overshadowing Brian Lara’s 196. In June 2010, Dale Steyn’s impressive figures (5/29 and 3/65) led to a 163-run victory.
South Africa’s success isn’t confined to Trinidad. They have lost only two of their 15 Tests in the Caribbean, winning eight, since their first match at Kensington Oval, Barbados in April 1992.
However, this dominance doesn’t make Temba Bavuma’s team exceptional. Since 1992, the West Indies have won only 46 of their 138 home Tests, a success rate of exactly one-third.
The West Indies enter the series reeling from a 3-0 defeat in England over the past 28 days.
However, they did beat England 1-0 at home in March 2022 and won both Tests against Bangladesh in July that year. In their most recent home series, India won 1-0 in July last year.
South Africa’s main challenge will be to adapt to the Test format, which they last played almost six months ago. Most of their preferred XI haven’t played a Test in over seven months. In their last series in New Zealand in February, South Africa fielded a weakened squad due to the concurrent SA20, which had contractual priority over the players. Only three from that 14-member squad are in the Caribbean.
The return to Test cricket may be a shock for South African fans accustomed to the team’s recent run of T20Is, including the World Cup final in Barbados in June. This contrast might spark discussions about the future of the format, a debate that Andre Russell comments on below. The series will be more compelling if players can deliver headline-worthy performances.
Match Details:
- When: August 7 to 11, 2024; 10am Local Time (4pm SAST, 7.30pm IST)
- Where: Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
- What to expect: Significant rain interruptions and a turning pitch.
Team News:
West Indies: Experienced Kemar Roach is set to replace the rested Alzarri Joseph. Off-spinner Bryan Charles could make his debut, and Keacy Carty might also debut.
Possible XI: Kraigg Brathwaite (C), Mikyle Louis, Keacy Carty, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Jason Holder, Joshua da Silva, Gudakesh Motie, Bryan Charles, Kemar Roach, Shamar Joseph
South Africa: Lungi Ngidi, who has played in only one of South Africa’s last seven Tests, is included.
Confirmed XI: Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (C), David Bedingham, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada
What They Said:
“It’s going to be attritional. The conditions don’t lend themselves to fast scoring and bouncy, seaming pitches. So it’s about us staying in the fight and dragging it out. When those tough periods come we need to be at our best.” – Shukri Conrad
“I don’t think money is the issue. Based on the amount of T20 and leagues around the world, I think a lot of players are just not interested in playing Tests.” – Andre Russell, who is playing in The Hundred and isn’t in the Windies squad, on the state of Test cricket.