ANALYSIS

WI vs ENG 2024, 3rd T20I, Probable XIs: West Indies looking to bounce back! We just need a win, says Powell

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WEST INDIES T20 skipper Rovman Powell has suggested that a win for the home side in today’s third T20I against England will set up a thrilling finish to the series, which concludes over the weekend.

Trailing the best-of-five series 0-2, the West Indies need to win at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground if they are to have any chance of winning the series and avoiding their first T20 home series loss since 2023.

Speaking to members of the media ahead of today’s match, Powell said every game of the series was now like a final to the West Indies.

“It’s a case of us getting back into the series. We just need a win, and once we get a win tomorrow [Thursday], it sets up for a very exciting weekend.

“The guys are upbeat [about] our chances of playing good cricket against England even though we are 2-0 down. Having said that, the guys are in a good space, good frame of mind,” Powell said.

However, Powell admitted that being down 0-2 in a T20 series was not a position they were accustomed to.

“It’s a little uncomfortable, to be honest. It’s a position where we haven’t found ourselves in a long time, but it’s an opportunity for us to show what we’re made of as a T20 team,” Powell said.

“England is a team that we play quite often, and we have some good results against them. It’s just unfortunate that Barbados wasn’t good for us in terms of T20 cricket, but St Lucia gives us a new day to come out and play some good cricket.”

Powell said following two heavy losses at Kensington Oval, a new venue in St Lucia afforded them a chance to regroup.

He said it was also important for some players in the team to do some retrospection.

“I think it is a case of guys having to look at it from an individual perspective to see if we as individuals bring enough to the table and then we try our best to try and put it together as a team.

“We have areas that we definitely need to work on, so the guys are in good spirits. We had a good training session today, so, hopefully, come Thursday, we can hit the ground running,” Powell said.

The captain also welcomed the return of Alzarri Joseph, who missed the opening two T20Is after serving a two-game suspension.

“If you look at our bowling department, we really needed him. It’s important for him to come and hit the straps and hit the ground running,” Powell said.

Team news: Alzarri returns from suspension

Shamar, Joseph in; Shamar Joseph out… it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster for West Indies in the past few days. Allrounder Shamar (Springer) has been called up as a replacement for Andre Russell, while (Alzarri) Joseph’s return from suspension means that his near-namesake is surplus to requirements. Terrance Hinds endured a rough debut in Barbados, and is also likely to make way.

West Indies: (possible) 1 Brandon King, 2 Evin Lewis, 3 Nicholas Pooran (wk), 4 Rovman Powell (capt), 5 Sherfane Rutherford, 6 Shimron Hetmyer / Roston Chase, 7 Romario Shepherd, 8 Gudakesh Motie, 9 Akeal Hosein, 10 Alzarri Joseph, 11 Matthew Forde

England are unlikely to tinker significantly with the series in their grasp, although their options have been limited with Jafer Chohan and Jordan Cox leaving the squad ahead of their Lions and Test commitments respectively. Reece Topley is hopeful he might yet be fit after jarring his knee in the first match (and copping a fine for smashing a chair as he left the field). With Jofra Archer’s workload still being closely managed, John Turner – unused since the ODIs – could be in line for a format debut.

England: (possible) 1 Phil Salt (wk), 2 Jos Buttler (capt), 3 Will Jacks, 4 Liam Livingstone, 5 Jacob Bethell, 6 Sam Curran, 7 Dan Mousley, 8 Jamie Overton, 9 Jofra Archer / John Turner, 10 Saqib Mahmood, 11 Adil Rashid

Miles Bascombe, Director of Cricket at CWI revealed why Andre Russell absent for T20I series against South Africa – check here!

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West Indies all-rounders Andre Russell and Jason Holder have been rested for this month’s three-match Twenty20 home series against South Africa, governing body Cricket West Indies (CWI) said on Sunday.

Medium pacer Matthew Forde and all-rounder Fabian Allen, who missed the T20 World Cup co-hosted by West Indies in June, have returned to the squad.

Miles Bascombe, CWI’s director of cricket, revealed Russell, 36, requested ‘for a period of rest and recovery’. Russell returned to the West Indies squad for the showpiece event and lately completed his stint with London Spirit in The Hundred.

“Andre Russell requested a period of rest and recovery as well as Jason Holder who played five back-to-back tests against England and South Africa,” CWI’s director of cricket Miles Bascombe said in a statment.

“During this period, they will work closely with the CWI science and medicine team,” he added.

Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, who was rested for the test series against South Africa this month, is absent from the 15-man squad along with injured opening batter Brandon King.

Russell and Holder will work closely with the CWI science and medicine team, and Joseph – recently appointed the Test vice-captain, will continue to take his time off. West Indies’ Test coach Andre Coley also spoke about managing Joseph’s workload in a chat with ESPNcricinfo.

“As far as Alzarri is concerned, it always helps to have a period of time away from the game to work on your individual skills because you could get drawn into moving from one tournament to the next and might actually lose some of your skills.

“So, it’s building in the right amount of rest time where he does nothing, but then also have little periods where he is not in competition. That way, he will be able to create more control around his bowling,” the Test coach noted.

The series will be played on August 23, August 25 and August 27 at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago.

Birthday wishes pour in for Shivnarine Chanderpaul as he turns 50 today: Here’s the West Indies Legend’s Top Records

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Former West Indies skipper Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Celebrate his 50th birthday Today. He is one of the finest cricketers that the West Indies has ever produced.

Considered to be one of the greatest cricketers of his era, the Guyana-born southpaw has amassed more than 20000 runs in international cricket.

shivnarine Chanderpaul has over 11000 runs at an average of 50+ in Tests and over 8000 runs at an average of 41 in ODIs. His average in the ODIs is better than Brian Charles Lara’s. He is the second-highest run-scorer for West Indies across the three formats. He has 166 scores of 50+ (50s – 125, 100s – 41), the most for them. How can someone not call him a legend?

His career spanned over two decades. Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya are the only ones whose careers have spanned as much. In 2008, he was named as the Cricketer of the Year by Wisden and was also awarded the ICC Cricketer of the Year award.

His unorthodox batting stance did not take anything away from his batting prowess. Even though he played in the shadow of the great Brian Lara, he carved his own niche in the squad.

He made his debut in 1994 versus England at the age of 19. But he was criticized heavily in his early years due to the inability to score big runs. He was plagued by injuries and also had a piece of bone removed from foot in 2000. Ever since then it was as if he was an entirely new person as he started playing the best kind of cricket he could and there was no looking back for him.

He retired from international cricket in 2016 at the age of 41. Since then, he has played first-class cricket in England and also continues to play first-class cricket for his native country, Guyana.

Following a below-par year in 2015, Clive Lloyd, the then-selector, wrote to Chanderpaul that they had decided to move on. “You have been a great player for the West Indies and have given excellent service to the game and West Indies supporters worldwide,” Lloyd added. “We hope your skills will be utilized in the future, and we wish you all the best.”

The Guyana cricket board even expressed its grief following the snub. “Our board just cannot believe nor even fathom the thought process behind the wanton dropping of the most senior, reliable, and dependable batsman of the West Indies for the past 21 years,” they said. “Is this how the selectors intend to treat our esteemed cricketers after more than two decades of service to the people of West Indies cricket?”.

The great Lara also felt that the West Indies board could have handled the situation better. “I was very disappointed that Shiv was not allowed a couple more Test matches, not necessarily to break the record but to have a proper send-off. I think he is very disappointed, and unfortunately, that did not happen,” Lara said.”That guy with the most Test matches for the West Indies, playing for over 20 years, I don’t think people in the West Indies understand exactly his contribution.”

He also has a few achievements to his name. Such as,

He holds the record of scoring 50 runs or more and staying unbeaten to his name.

He also made the number 5 position in Test cricket his own by scoring the most runs in that position.

He along with his compatriot Stuart Williams holds the record the highest opening stand for West Indies in ODI’s.

Chanderpaul became the second player after New Zealand’s Graham Dowling to score a double century on captaincy debut in Test matches.

Chanderpaul has been involved in record 750 partnerships in Test cricket. Rahul Dravid is the next on the list with 738, while Sachin Tendulkar has had 675 batting partners.

The left-hander played 385 first-class matches in which he scored 27545 runs and hit 77 centuries. In 423 List-A matches, Chanderpaul amassed 13439 runs, which included 13 tons.

In Test cricket he has scored 11,867 runs, in ODI he has 8778 runs and in T20I, he has scored 343 runs. He also has 30 centuries in Test matches and 11 centuries in ODIs. So, on his 45th birthday, let’s have a look at three of his best innings.

Key players rested as West Indies announce squad for T20I series against South Africa – Check Full Squad Here!

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West Indian all-rounders Rovman Powell and Andre Russell have both failed to turn up for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa. Apart from these two, several other players are also set to remain in India for the crucial IPL playoffs. This includes Shimron Hetmyer, Alzarri Joseph and Sherfane Rutherford.

Nicholas Pooran and Shai Hope have not been drafted into the squad and are given some rest before they resume their national duties. On the other hand, Sherfane Rutherford and Alzarri Joseph are expected to be a part of the squad if their respective franchises- KKR and RCB fail to make it to the finals of the IPL.

West Indies will be playing their first of the T20I’s on 24th May, the second one on 26th May and the third on 27th May. Post that the next competitive competition for the Caribbean side will be against Papua New Guinea on the 2nd of June in the first game of the T20 World Cup.

What is the full squad of West Indies for the upcoming tour?

In the absence of Rovman Powell, Brandon King has been named as the standing captain. Apart from King, many players have been given green signal who failed to make the cut for the provisional squad released for the World T20:

Full Squad

Brandon King (capt), Roston Chase, Alick Athanaze, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Mathew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh.

Here are the Performance Review of each West Indies player after their 3-2 series win over England

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Shai Hope, who steered West Indies to victory in the first match of this white-ball series, starred with the bat in the final match as well to help West Indies prevail in a tricky run chase in Trinidad. As a result, West Indies clinched the T20I series 3-2 that ensured a rare double having already won the ODI series as well.

let’s recapping performance of each player who featured for the victorious side.

Brandon King – 7

5 matches, 115 runs at 28.75, SR: 153.33, HS: 82*

King’s main bulk of scoring came from the second T20I in which he scored a sensational unbeaten 82 off from 52 balls, which included three sixes and four fours off Rehan Ahmed alone. It was a Player of the Match performance which set up a 2-0 series lead for the West Indies. He didn’t make it into double figures for the rest of the series.

Kyle Mayers – 3

4 matches, 64 runs at 16.00, SR: 142.22, HS: 35

Following a 35 in the first match of the series, there wasn’t much to write home about from Mayers. He made way for Johnson Charles for the series decider.

Nicholas Pooran – 7

5 matches, 149 runs 29.80, SR: 179.51, HS: 82

Pooran scored a magnificent 82 in the third match of the series to help the West Indies post a massive target of 223. It was only due to heroics from Phil Salt and Harry Brook that his efforts were in a losing cause. A 39 in the following game came in an impossible chase and he finished the series with the highest strike rate of all the West Indies’ top order batters.

Johnson Charles – 3

1 match, 27 runs at 27.00, SR: 122.72, HS: 27

Just the one outing for Charles in the final T20I.

Shai Hope – 6

5 matches, 122 runs at 30.50, SR: 118.44, HS: 43*

Hope’s innings in the final T20I of the series was a sensational effort to ensure his side sealed the series win. He finished unbeaten on 43 off as many balls, anchoring a small chase and slamming the second ball of Chris Woakes’ final over for six to secure the win. He also scored 36 in the first match of the series to form a solid platform in another chase.

Sherfane Rutherford – 7

3 matches, 95 runs at 31.66, SR: 169.64, HS: 36

Rutherford came in for Shimron Hetmyer from the third game of the series onwards. He made important contributions in all three of his innings, scoring 29, 39 and 30 in each, solidifying the middle order.

Rovman Powell – 7

5 matches, 124 runs at 41.33, SR: 174.64, HS: 50

Powell came in at six in the second match of the series following a dramatic collapse which threatened to see the home side rolled over. However, he put together an 80-run partnership with King that pushed the West Indies up past 170. That followed his unbeaten 31 off 15 balls which saw the West Indies comfortably to a 1-0 series lead in the first T20I.

Shimron Hetmyer – 1

2 matches, 3 runs at 1.50, SR: 33.33, HS: 2
A nasty series for Hetmyer who was dropped after two single figures scores in the first two games.

Andre Russell – 9

5 matches, 7 wickets at 28.14, ER: 10.46, BBI: 3-19
105 runs at 35.00, SR: 169.35, HS: 51

It was a series of dreams for Russell, with both bat and ball. He put in an all-round Player of the Match performance in the first game of the series, claiming an impressive 3-19 with the ball and finishing the match in style with a boundary-fuelled unbeaten 29 to get his side over the line with plenty to spare. More middling performances followed in the next two matches before a brutal 25-ball 51 in the fourth in a hopeless chase. Coming in with not many to get in the series finale, he holed out before the he could get the West Indies over the line, though he was excellent with the ball earlier in the day.

Jason Holder – 5

5 matches, 6 wickets at 33.50, ER: 10.30, BBI: 2-24
22 runs at 11.00, SR: 244.44, HS: 18*

Holder consistently picked up wickets as ever, but was on the expensive side. He played a useful cameo with the bat in the 3rd T20I, scoring 18 off 5 balls, slamming the final three balls of the innings for boundaries off Reece Topley.

Akeal Hosein – 7

5 matches, 6 wickets at 26.00, ER: 7.80, BBI: 2-20

Hosein was the pick of the West Indies’ bowlers in the final match of the series. He took 2-20 from his four overs to cap off a successful series. His spin partnership with Gudakesh Motie frustrated England’s batters, and together they were a decisive factor in the West Indies’ series win.

Alzarri Joseph – 5

3 matches, 6 wickets at 23.83, ER: 12.43, BBI: 3-39

Joseph picked up three wickets in each of the first two matches of the series but was expensive in both. He was rested for the final two matches of the series ahead of the West Indies’ multi-format tour of Australia next month in which he is likely to play all three formats. He was chief instigator of England’s collapse in the second match of the series, dismissing three of England’s top four.

Matthew Forde – 1

1 match, 0 wickets, ER: 18.00

Forde had a rough time of it on T20I debut in the fourth match of the series. He was faced with a rampant Phil Salt and a firing Liam Livingstone and was carted for six sixes and three fours in all. He was swapped out for the final game.

Romario Shepherd – 5

1 match, 2 wickets at 11.00, ER: 5.50, BBI: 2-22

Just the one game in the series for Shepherd, in which he took two wickets. A knee niggle kept him out for the rest of the series.

Gudakesh Motie – 8

4 matches, 5 wickets at 23.60, ER: 7.37, BBI: 3-24

A new call up for the series, Motie’s best performance was saved until last. He took three important wickets to set up a West Indies series victory, snaring Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone and Harry Brook to break the back of England’s batting order. He also claimed the Player of the Match award for the finale. Having been bludgeoned by Buttler and Salt in his previous outing, it was a strong comeback from the left-arm spinner.

Oshane Thomas – 1

1 match, o wickets, ER: 9.00

Thomas came in for the final match of the series after Forde was expensive in the fourth. He was expensive, with his four overs going for 36 runs, and didn’t take any wickets in England’s collapse.

WI vs ENG, 4th T20I, Match Prediction, Probable XI: West Indies looking to bounce back after narrow loss

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The fourth T20I between West Indies (WI) and England (ENG) is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, December 19, at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad.

After the West Indies won the ODI series 2-1, they started the T20I rubber with a bang as they notched up wins in the first two games. However, the away side managed to keep the five-match series alive by picking up a thrilling win in the third game at St George’s, Grenada, last week.

The West Indies put on a daunting total of 222/6 in their 20 overs in the first innings. However, Phil Salt’s exhilarating century and Harry Brook’s swashbuckling cameo headlined England’s chase as the current T20 world champions reached the target with seven wickets and one ball to spare.

The series is intriguingly poised as the action shifts to Trinidad. This is another do-or-die encounter for England and they would be upbeat about their chances after pulling off a memorable win in the last encounter.

Brian Lara Stadium, Pitch Report and Conditions

Only two T20Is have been played so far at the Brian Lara Stadium, both involving India and West Indies. The pitch is generally not a belter as there is a lot in it for the bowlers. In the last T20I played at this venue in August, the West Indies defended 149, restricting India to 145/9 in their 20 overs. Change of pace worked for the bowlers in that game as the ball seemed to slow down considerably after pitching.

Both teams have some big hitters in their ranks but they might have to work a little bit harder for their runs. In the four matches played at the venue during this year’s Caribbean Premier League, the average first-innings score was 163. Three out of the four games were won by teams batting second.

WI vs ENG Predicted Playing XI:

West Indies: Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Shai Hope, Rovman Powell (C), Romario shepherd, Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein, Oshane Thomas

England: Jos Buttler (C/WK), Philip Salt, Will Jacks, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson, Tymal Mills, Reece Topley

Probable Best Performers from WI vs ENG

Probable Best Batter: Phil Salt

The right-handed opener has looked in good nick in the T20I series after having a lacklustre outing in the ODIs. He scored a 20-ball 40 in the first T20I but in the previous game, he lit up the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada with a match-winning knock of 109 not out off 56 balls. He hit four fours and nine sixes during his stunning innings. If Salt can fire at the top, it will make things easier for the batters to follow.

Probable Best Bowler: Adil Rashid

With the conditions expected to favour the spinners, Adil Rashid could play a key role. The veteran leg-spinner is a clever operator and knows how to use conditions to his advantage. He is the joint-highest wicket-taker in the series so far, having bagged six wickets in three games at an average of just 11.33. It will be interesting to see how Jos Buttler uses Rashid’s four overs.

Today’s Match Prediction: Chasing team to win the match

Aussie great Ricky Ponting Picks His All-time XI including Two West Indian players – Check full list HERE

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Apart from being one of the most impeccable batters of his era, Ponting also rose to become one of the greatest captains in the history of cricket. He retired as the second-most highest run scorer in history, only behind Sachin Tendulkar, with 27,483 runs and 71 hundred.

Continuing the trend of choosing the all-time XI, Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting picks his all-time Playing XI made up of individuals he played alongside or against in his stellar 18-year first-class career.

His team features five cricketers from Australia, Two from West Indies and One each from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa. Ponting chose Kumar Sangakkara to lead his team.

At the top, Ponting chose his compatriots Mathew Hayden and Justin Langer to open the innings.

“Two guys that I really enjoyed batting behind, and two different batting style,” Ponting said on a video posted by the Lord’s website.

“Matty Hayden, always big and tall at the crease, always on the front foot, always putting pressure back on the bowlers,” he believes.

“And his little mate Justin Langer at the other end, who is one of my greatest mates from my playing times,” he remarked.

Furthermore, at number three Ponting picked South African great Jacques Kallis.

Interestingly, with 45 Test centuries, 13,289 Test runs and 292 wickets, Kallis is one of the greatest all-rounders of all time.

Following Kallis at number four, is batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, the lone Indian in the team.

On his decision to select Tendulkar, Ponting said: “There’s not too many greatest XIs you could pick without Sachin in it. His longevity in the game was remarkable. He had a great record against Australia, and as a captain of an opposition team playing against him. He gave us lots of nightmares and certainly won lots of games, one-day internationals or Test matches.”

West Indies Brian Lara comes in at no.5 and the record holder of the highest score in an innings in Tests can only enhance the batting power of this all-time XI.

Kumar Sangakkara from Sri Lanka will be the captain of the all-time XI and will complete one of the most impressive-looking batting orders ever.

“Another guy that gave me nightmares as a captain was Brian Lara, the West Indies legend,” Ponting said. “A very determined player, loved winning and gave his team every opportunity to win when he was out in the middle. Also a great leader of men, and that’s why he’s my captain,” Ponting said about choosing Sangakkara as the captain of his team.

Adam Gilchrist will don the keeping gloves for Ponting’s team and Australia’s highest wicket taker in Tests, Shane Warne is the lone spinner in the team.

About Adam Gilchrist, Ponting remarked, “Every team, once Gilly had made his mark on international cricket, was looking for someone as their wicketkeeper that could bat in the way that Gilchrist was able to bat.”

“The art and skill he had as a leg-spinner was quite remarkable,” Ponting said about Shane Warne.

Pakistan’s Wasim Akram will be joined by West Indies’ Curtly Ambrose and Australian fast bowling legend Glenn McGrath to form the fast bowling contingent for Ricky Ponting’s all-time XI.

About the Pakistani fast bowling legend Wasim Akram, Ponting said, “Probably the most skilled fast bowler I played against, and it wasn’t just with the new ball either.”

Curtly Ambrose was called the most difficult bowler he ever faced by Ponting, who added,

“He landed the ball on a line and length all the time (and) for me was always someone that was trying to put pressure back on the batsman.”

Finally, on Glenn McGrath, Ponting says,” Undoubtedly one of the great fast bowlers of the modern era.”

In addition, here is the all-time XI, picked by Ricky Ponting:

Openers: Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden (Australia), 3. Jaques Kallis (South Africa) 4. Sachin Tendulkar (India) 5. Brian Lara (West Indies) 6. Kumar Sangakkara (captain, Sri Lanka) 7. Adam Gilchrist (wk, Australia) 8. Shane Warne (Australia) 9. Wasim Akram (Pakistan) 10. Curtly Ambrose (West Indies) 11. Glenn McGrath (Australia)

West Indies vs England, 3rd T20I: Probable XI, Match Prediction, Who Will Win Today?

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West Indies and England are set to lock horns in the third game of their ongoing five-match T20I series on Saturday, December 16. The National Cricket Stadium in St George’s, Grenada, will host the clash.

England, led by Jos Buttler, are in all sorts of trouble, having lost both their matches thus far in the series. Currently in a must-win position, the visiting team somehow needs to make a comeback to stay alive.

The visitors had a decent chance of winning the second game. However, they lost by the slim margin of 10 runs. Sam Curran scored 50 off 32 balls to give his team hope, but his knock eventually went in vain.

West Indies, on the other hand, have momentum on their side. Brandon King scored an unbeaten 82 in the previous match. He was also involved in a partnership of 80 runs with Rovman Powell, who scored 50.

Andre Russell picked up three wickets in the first match before registering his worst T20I figures of 4-0-66-0 in the second game. The all-rounder will be desperate to make amends as West Indies look to take an invincible 3-0 lead.

West Indies vs England Probable XIs

West Indies

Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell (c), Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph

England

Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (c & wk), Will Jacks, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Rehan Ahmed, Adil Rashid, Tymal Mills

West Indies vs England Match Prediction

With their backs against the wall, England are expected to come out all guns blazing. They will go into the match as favorites and they will be more desperate than the West Indies to secure a win.

Prediction: England to win the match.

WI vs Eng, 2nd T20I, Probable XI – West Indies would be looking to maintain their momentum

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The second match of the England Tour of West Indies 2023 will see England (ENG) squaring off against West Indies (WI) at the National Cricket Stadium, St George’s in Grenada on Tuesday, December 14.

Ahead of this exciting match, here’s all you need to know about the ENG vs WI Prediction.

The West Indies team emerged victorious in the first game of the series, winning by four wickets on Tuesday in Barbados, as they successfully chased down a target of 172 with 11 balls remaining.

Despite a shaky start with the ball in the first T20I, West Indies managed to slow down England’s batters and eventually chased down the target in the 19th over. If they maintain the same level of intensity, it will be difficult for England to defeat them in this match.

Although England lost the opening T20I, some promising performances are going to boost their confidence. The conditions in Grenada could be favorable for much of England’s bowling attack, and we can anticipate a high level of play from the team in this upcoming T20I.

WI vs ENG Predicted Playing XI:

West Indies – Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell (c), Andre Russell, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph

England – Jos Buttler (c), Philip Salt, Will Jacks, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Rehan Ahmed, Adil Rashid, Tymal Mills

South Africa A vs West Indies A, 1st Unofficial Test: Probable Playing XIs Match Preview

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South Africa A will take on West Indies A in the first unofficial Test of the West Indies A tour of South Africa 2023 on November 21 at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, South Africa. The match will commence at 1:30 PM IST.

The two teams announced their respective squads for the upcoming series, which is a combination of experienced cricketers alongside a handful of promising talents looking to make their mark at the international level.

For the hosts, Keegan Petersen, Zubayr Hamza and Tony de Zorzi will be the leading batters, each of whom has played Test cricket for South Africa. Pacers Duanne Olivier and Hardus Viljoen will shoulder the responsibilities in the bowling unit.

The Caribbean outfit will be led by Joshua Da Silva, who has played 24 Tests for West Indies, recording one ton and three half-centuries. Opening batter Tagenarine Chanderpaul and seamers Jayden Seales and Shermon Lewis are some of the top names to watch out for.

As far as their recent performances are concerned, South Africa A defeated Sri Lanka A 1-0 in the two-match unofficial Test series earlier in June this year whereas West Indies A got the better of Bangladesh A by 1-0 in the three-match unofficial Test series, held in May-June 2023.

SA-A vs WI-A pitch report

The average score by the team batting first in the last 10 matches at the venue is 291.

Bowling first should be the preferred option at the venue, with the team batting second winning 70 percent of its contests.

SA-A vs WI-A weather report

The temperature at Willowmoore Park in Benoni is predicted to be around 29 degrees Celsius and 44% humidity.

SA-A vs WI-A Prediction:

Joshua Da Silva:The 25-year-old will be a go-to choice among the available wicket-keepers. Joshua Da Silva has featured in 25 Tests for West Indies, amassing 882 runs.

Kevin Sinclair: The young spinner from the visiting team will be backed to overcome a potent South African batting line-up with his off-break bowling. He has scalped 11 wickets in seven Tests for the Windies, registering two four-wicket hauls.

WI-A Fantasy 11 team

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