FANTASY
Follow UsThe series has gone through its ebbs and flows. The way West Indies began, it looked like they have the firepower in their batting to thump the South African bowlers throughout the series. However, the visitors made a roaring comeback to lead the series. It appeared they will win the series with a game to spare but Kieron Pollard stepped up in the moment of adversity to steer the hosts to a levelling win. It is now time for the decider and we are all excited to find out what will happen.
Ground Details and Team Combination
The National Cricket Stadium in Grenada has only hosted five T20Is so far, with 1695 runs being scored across 10 innings. Four of them have come in this series. Pacers have accounted for 64.6 % of wickets while spinners have 35.4 % of wickets to their name. A ratio of 2.1 wickets per innings here is the second highest amongst all T20I venues in the Caribbean since 2019. The series has in fact showed a lot of assistance for the spinners. George Linde and Tabraiz Shamsi have been consistently effective during the middle-overs.
Interestingly, West Indies have picked 15 wickets at the death (overs 16-20) in this series, more than twice of South Africa’s tally of seven wickets.
Hence, we suggest top-order batsmen, with bowling attack comprising of South Africa spinners and West Indies’ death bowlers.
Injury concerns
Fabian Allen left the field with his right arm in a sling and remains doubtful for the series decider. Similarly, Anrich Nortje received a blow when Pollard hit one ball back at his leg and there can be a case for him to sit out of this contest.
Suggested Team
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your own team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. Based on algorithms, we have come up with one team.
Captaincy Suggestion
Quinton de Kock has been the most consistent batsman in this series, from either sides. He has scored 195 runs at an average of 48.8. The next best on the tally is almost 70 runs behind - Evin Lewis at 125. De Kock has crossed the 50-run mark twice and has been the lone warrior in South Africa’s batting line-up. Batting at the top of the order gives him an advantage of maximizing his potential.
Our Criclytics player projections predicts de Kock could score 39-59 runs in this match
X-Factors
Tabraiz Shamsi has been in the form of his life. Often criticized for bowling too many loose balls earlier in his career, Shamsi has hardly given anything away this series. His economy of 4.3 runs per over is the best in this series and his bowling average of 11.5 is second only to that of Dwayne Bravo. The fact that he is the only bowler this series to pick a wicket in every game should be enough for you to select him in your side.
Our Criclytics player projections predicts Shamsi pick 1-2 wickets in this match
Andre Russell has passed his biggest test in this series by proving his fitness. That has enabled him to be a four-over bowler for West Indies and Russell has looked threatening with his yorkers. He has not clicked with the bat yet but remains to be a threat on that front. He, in fact, is the only all-rounder who can assure you points in both departments as he has batted and bowled in each of the four games.
Our Criclytics player projections predicts Russell could score 15-23 runs and pick 0-1 wickets in this match
Dwayne Bravo is enjoying the twilight of his career. Playing as a bowling all-rounder, the 37-year old registered his career best in the previous game, picking four wickets for 19 runs. He has proved to be lethal at the death. Putting his variations into effect, Bravo has drawn the batsmen too early into their shots which results in his favor. Bravo has bagged eight of the 15 wickets West Indies have taken at the death. We expect the same trend to continue.
Our Criclytics player projections predicts Bravo could score 14-20 runs and pick 2-3 wickets in this match
