West Indies will lock horns with South Africa in the first of the two-match Test series at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, starting June 10 (Thursday). These are the final matches in the current cycle of the ICC World Test Championship and both sides will look to finish the tournament on a high.
South Africa are currently going through a transition with Dean Elgar taking over the captaincy. With youngsters such as Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder itching to make their mark, South Africa look well-equipped for the Caribbean challenge. Like their opponents, South Africa also have a fearsome bowling attack, led by Kagiso Rabada.
West Indies will begin an exciting season of cricket, starting off with a much-awaited Test series against South Africa. The Windies have enjoyed some success in the longest format of late, with a series win over Bangladesh earlier in the year. Kraigg Brathwaite has led the side admirably over the last few months, with the inclusion of Kyle Mayers and Nkrumah Bonner adding some much-needed stability to the side.
Match Details
Match: West Indies vs South Africa, 1st Test
Date: 10th June 2021, at 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia
Pitch Report
A competitive clash between bat and ball is expected in St Lucia. The bowlers will enjoy the conditions with ample movement available off the surface. The pitch is slightly on the slower side, bringing the spinners into play in the latter half of the Test.
The weather forecast for the week is all clear, with a few clouds expected to hover around early during each day. Both teams will look to bowl first upon winning the toss and make good use of the bowling-friendly conditions on offer.
Predicted Playing XIs
West Indies
Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Kieran Powell, Darren Bravo, Kyle Mayers, Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua da Silva (wk), Kemar Roach, Jason Holder, Shannon Gabriel, Rakheem Cornwall
South Africa
Dean Elgar (c), Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wk), Wiaan Mulder/George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada
West Indies vs South Africa 1st Test Dream11 Fantasy Suggestions
Fantasy Suggestion #1: Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Dean Elgar, Kraigg Brathwaite, Nkrumah Bonner, Rassie van der Dussen, Jason Holder, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel
Captain: Dean Elgar, Vice-Captain: Jason Holder
Fantasy Suggestion #2: Quinton de Kock, Keshav Maharaj, Dean Elgar, Kraigg Brathwaite, Jermaine Blackwood, Rassie van der Dussen, Jason Holder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Kemar Roach and Kyle Mayers
Captain: Jason Holder, Vice-Captain: Rassie van der Dussen