New Zealand vs Sri Lanka at the Hadlee Oval, Christchurch followed by Australia vs India at the MCG, Melbourne will be joined by South Africa vs West Indies at the St. Georges Park, Port Elizabeth as the third Boxing Day test match. Here is what available in store ahead of the second Test between South Africa and West indies at Port Elizabeth.
South Africa will look to end the year on a high by defeating the Caribbean men and take a 2-0 lead in the 3 match test series as the hosts had won the first Test at Centurion by an innings and 220 runs. West Indies, on the other hand will look to seek for some redemption after the huge loss in the first test by challenging the Proteas at the St. George’s Park.
Pitch Report: This is the best place for Windies to pull one back in the series as the wickets in Port Elizabeth tends to be slow. A significant amount of grass was left on the 22 yard strip which is likely disappear on the morning of day 1. If reverse swing is found, it can be prove deadly for the batsmen at this venue.
Weather Report: Boxing Day is expected to remain warm and rain is forecasted for the remaining four days.
Team News:
With the pitch all set to be slow, South Africa won’t be going in with four pacers and in that cases, Kyle Abbott is the likely pacer to make way for spinner Imran Tahir. The other replacement in the playing XI is wicket-keeper Temba Bavuma will be making his debut for injured Quinton de Kock who is out with a foot injury for atleast 6 weeks. AB de Villiers will be the wicket-keeper ahead of Bavuma.
Playing XI: Alviro Petersen, Dean Elgar, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla (capt), AB de Villiers (wk), Stiaan van Zyl, Temba Bavuma, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir.
The visiting West Indians on the other hand does not have much to ponder about the playing XI and will go into the test with just one change. Newly appointed ODI skipper Jason Holder will come into the squad for injured Kemar Roach.
Playing XI: Kraigg Brathwaite, Devon Smith, Leon Johnson, Marlon Samuels, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Jermaine Blackwood, Denesh Ramdin (capt, wk), Jerome Taylor, Shannon Gabriel, Sulieman Benn, Sheldon Cottrell.