The big deal:
After a terribly disappointing summer, it’s time for the West Indies to switch gears and try to salvage some pride as they turn to the longer format of the game and it will take a tremendous, near miraculous effort for the West Indies to get their act together.
Things in camp Windies are not well, Chris Gayle’s captaincy is under scrutiny, some of his star players are injured and the rest are out of control and rebelling out of frustration. This Test series could very well be the series that causes the team to finally reach boiling point and the only thing they have going for them is South Africa’s inability to carry forth momentum.
When South Africa beat Australia in Australia back in 2008, they kicked down a gear and struggled when the Australians came to visit them in their backyard, perhaps Gayle’s men will be hoping exploit this weakness while the Saffers mull over selection headaches.
Mark Boucher has recovered from injury so all eyes will be on whether the glovesman will assume position behind the stumps for the Tests or whether he will be culled from the longest format of the game to make space for AB de Villiers who has on numerous occasions claimed that he does not want to keep.
JP Duminy and Alviro Peterson are also riding the selection see-saw and Ashwell Prince will be hoping for a last grasp to prove his worth to selectors.
Wayne Parnell is struggling with an injury so Ryan McLaren or Lonwabo Tsotsobe will be drafted in. McLaren holds the advantage due to his all-round ability but selectors might be willing to take a gamble and give Tsotsobe his first cap.
There’s plenty to talk about off the field, for both sides, and while everybody ooohs and aaahs about the Soccer World Cup in South Africa, the focus of the cricket world will be on this series.
It could be one that changes the future of both sides quite dramatically and the first Test will determine which way it is going to go.
Keep an eye on:
Darren Sammy has climbed the ranks in the short format of the game and, with the West Indies side in disarray and Gayle’s captaincy being questioned, this is Sammy’s chance to not only cement a spot in the Test side but put his hand up as potential captaincy candidate.
For the South Africans, Mr. Reliable, Hashim Amla won’t disappoint and if he cashes in one his ODI form, the Bearded One will be the man to watch for South Africa.
So, what’s it gonna be?
As much as we would all love a romantic upset, it will take a lot for the West Indies not to get hammered. If Gayle and Shiv Chanderpaul do not rack up the runs, South Africa will make light work of a side who is suffering from serious turmoil. The tourists, however, will have to be wary of arrogance getting in the way of going for the jugular.