Providence, Guyana hosts the second and final test match between West Indies and South Africa, the game gets under way on Thursday and any winner here will claim the series
After this the tour wraps up with 3 T20's but first up the test series needs to de decided.
The first test was staged in Trinidad but it was plagued by rain and ended in a draw.
The Proteas won the tos and opted to bat first and they posted 357 with the major contributions coming from Bavuma (86), de Zorzi (78) and down the order Mulder hit 41. Jomel Warrican was the pick of the WI bowlers with figures of 4/69 and Jayden Seales took finished with 3/67.
West Indies replied with 233 with Keacy Carty top scoring with 42 and Warrican, batting at 10 was unbeaten on 35. Maharaj took 4/76 and Rabada 3/56.
With time against them South Africa declared their second innings on 173/3 after just 29 overs. Stubbs hit 68 and de Zorzi 45 and Warrican took 2 more wickets.
In the final innings WI were in trouble at 18/2 but Alick Athanaze made an excellent 92 and although Maharaj took 4 more wickets the game ended with WI 201/5, well short of the 298 target they had been set.
This was how the teams lined up in the first test in Trinidad
West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Mikyle Louis, Keacy Carty, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Gudakesh Motie, Jomel Warrican
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
Recent Form
West Indies:
West Indies have just returned from a 3 match test series in England. They lost all 3 games by wide margins, the first by an innings and 114 runs, the second by 241 runs and the third by 10 wickets.
In January this year they sprang a surprise in a 2 match series in Australia. Despite losing the first test by 10 wickets they squared the series with an 8 run win in the second contest.
West Indies' previous test match action on home soil came in July 2023 and they went down 1-0 in a 2 match series against India
South Africa
South Africa took an understrength squad to New Zealand in February this year and they lost both test matches by margins of 281 runs and then 7 wickets.
A 2 match home series against India over the turn of the year was shared 1-1.
Recent Head to Head
South Africa completed a 2-0 home win against West Indies in Feb / March 2023 where the Proteas won the first match by 87 runs and the second and final test by 284 runs
The Proteas were in the Caribbean in June 2021 and they won both tests by margins of an innings and 63 runs and then 158 runs
Providence, Guyana
This venue has not staged a West Indies test match since 2008 when West Indies lost to Sri Lanka by 121 runs.
You can check the weather forecast here
The Betting - 2nd Test Match
At the time of writing West Indies are 26/10 to win the match with the draw at 3/1 and South Africa can be backed at around 13/20 with Sportingbet
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict
South Africa had the better of the first test without totally dominating and I see very little value in the match result quotes.
A couple of small plays to make a 50 in the first innings will satisfy my interest here. I'll start with di Zorzi, who was excellent in Trinidad, and back him up with Tristan Stubbs at the same price,
Bets: 1st Innings to make a 50, di Zorzi? Yes at 2/1 with Sportingbet
1st Innings to make a 50, Stubbs? Yes at 2/1 with Sportingbet
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
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