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The outcome of this series is still in the balance heading into this second Test after the first was drawn at Queen’s Park Oval despite South Africa’s best efforts to force a win over West Indies.
DATE/TIME: Thursday 15th August 2024 – UK – 3:00pm / India – 7:30pm / US EST – 10:00am / US PST – 7:00am
VENUE: Guyana National Stadium, Providence, Guyana, West Indies
WEATHER: A hint of potentially thundery showers at some point across four of the five days, but likely to be dry in the main with sunshine and hot temperatures of 30c of more.
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – TNT Sports / INDIA – TBA / US – Willow TV
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – discovery+ / INDIA – Fancode / US – Willow TV
WEST INDIES FORM: BASHIR IN THE SPOTLIGHT AFTER SPINNING HOSTS TO VICTORY
It’s now four Tests without victory for West Indies following their 3-0 loss in England prior to the draw vs the Proteas. However, this gives them the opportunity to record a much-needed series victory, but they’ll need the batting to improve with them having fallen into a slump across recent Test matches.
LAST FIVE: DLLLW
SOUTH AFRICA FORM: THREE DEFEATS IN FOUR NOW FOR WINDIES AFTER DAY 4 MELTDOWN
South Africa came within five wickets of defeating the Windies last time out, so they are definitely on the right track. On a wearing pitch, Keshav Maharaj did his best to spin out the hosts in the fourth innings but ultimately, he and South Africa ran out of time, although that doesn’t take away from a good overall performance.
LAST FIVE: DLLLW
WEST INDIES BETTING ANALYSIS
Jomel Warrican will be very happy with his six wickets over the course of the first Test, including 4/69 from 22 overs across South Africa’s first innings. Such a healthy number of scalps will have given him significant confidence moving forward and it would be no surprise if he backs that up with another haul of wickets here. Consider utilising the ‘Bowler Total Match Wickets’ market to back Warrican picking up over 4.5 in the second Test at good value.
On the batting front, West Indies continue to struggle with only one innings over 50 across the entire first Test. That came from Alick Athanaze, who accumulated 92 runs in the fourth innings to help save the game. Athanaze had already caught the eye against England with an eye-catching 82 at Trent Bridge and backing him to record another score of fifty or more here is worth exploring.
SOUTH AFRICA BETTING ANALYSIS
Tristan Stubbs has been given an opportunity at number three for South Africa and showed in Trinidad that he is up to the challenge, smashing 68 from just 50 balls in the third innings, a knock which included six 4s and two 6s. Stubbs is unlikely to change his style of play having been afforded license to play his shots and make use of his immense power. With that in mind, back him to clear the boundary rope again in this second Test via the ‘Batter Total Match Sixes’ market.
From a bowling perspective, Keshav Maharaj’s spin needs to be zoned in on by bettors, especially if the pitch looks like it may show signs of disintegration as the Test goes on. This will only benefit a spin-bowler of Maharaj’s quality, who could generate substantial turn and backing him to finish with over 5.5 match wickets appears an enticing move.
WEST INDIES VS SOUTH AFRICA EXPERT PREDICTION
What was established across the first Test between these two nations is that South Africa look very much a stronger batting unit than West Indies, who’ve struggled on that front for a significant period of time now. This makes a huge difference, especially as the Proteas have brought in players such as Stubbs who can also accelerate very quickly when required.
Whilst taking 20 wickets is a very difficult challenge as was demonstrated in Trinidad, this South African side are capable of doing it if given enough time and backing them to get the victory against West Indies warrants serious consideration.
WEST INDIES VS SOUTH AFRICA TIP: SOUTH AFRICA TO WIN