South Africa vs West Indies, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 warm-up: Preview, predictions

South Africa take on West Indies in their final warm-up match of the Cricket World Cup 2019 – in less than a week now, they’ll line-up opposite England for the opening clash of the real thing.

That in mind, they had a breeze in their first outing against Sri Lanka. The 87-run victory saw Hashim Amla getting some much-needed feel of ball on bat – he scored a 61-ball 65 – and Faf du Plessis (88 off 69) continue his commendable recent form.

There were runs in the middle order for the likes of Rassie van der Dussen and Andile Phehlukwayo, who was also terrific with the ball later, returning 4/36. Sri Lanka, despite captain Dimuth Karunaratne’s best efforts, were restricted to 251.

Thing is, the last six ODIs South Africa have played were all against Sri Lanka, who are in a less than ideal situation, to say the least. They will need a proper test of their standing, and West Indies will be able to provide that.

The Windies commendably held England, the No.1 ODI side, to a 2-2 draw at home earlier this year, and thereafter made the finals of the tri-series against Bangladesh and Ireland with a team comprised mostly of their reserve players.

They will line-up with the likes of Chris Gayle and Andre Russell – both in terrific recent form – this time around, and South Africa are expected to finally have a good fight put up against them. They need it.

Head to head

South Africa have a brilliant overall record in ODIs against West Indies – in 61 matches played, the Proteas have won 44 of those matches. West Indies have won just 15. The African side are favoured in neutral venues too – in 11 matches, South Africa have won seven, with one of the remaining matches being tied.

In fact, in their last encounter in the World Cup in 2015, South Africa brushed them aside by 257 runs after AB de Villiers’ famous 66-ball 162*.

Key players

Hashim Amla (South Africa): The veteran has broken more than his share of records in his day, but heading into this tournament, his place in the side was far from certain. It is why his 61-ball 65, even if it was against Sri Lanka in a warm-up, would have been considered cause for optimism by South Africa fans. They will continue hoping for more signs of the old Amla.

Shai Hope (West Indies): The West Indies youngster is crucial for the side’s hopes this tournament. He’s in terrific form, and is a reliable, versatile batsman. He was in good touch during the tri-series, piling two centuries and as many half-centuries, and the hope is that he can take that form into the sport’s big event.

Squads

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, JP Duminy, Dwaine Pretorius, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir, Tabraiz Shamsi, Chris Morris

West Indies: Jason Holder (c), Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Ashley Nurse, Fabian Allen, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope (wk), Oshane Thomas, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Evin Lewis

Prediction

South Africa will be pushed hard by West Indies, but will come through just about.