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South Africa
West Indies
West Indies will square off against South Africa in the 3rd and final T20I at Johannesburg. This match will serve as preparation for both teams ahead of the T20 World Cup. South Africa will enter this game with a 2-0 lead after winning the first 2 matches while chasing. SA will look to complete a clean sweep.
South Africaβs top three batters will be a key talking point. They are coming into this match after chasing down 221 with 7 balls remaining in the previous game. The middle order has had no pressure so far in the series. West Indies will take confidence from their improved batting display in the second T20I after a poor first outing.
Recent form will slightly favour South Africa. West Indies will have won only 1 of their last 5 T20Is, while South Africa will have won 2. Head-to-head numbers will stay close, with West Indies having 3 wins in the last 5 meetings.
South Africaβs openers have consistently batted deep while West Indiesβ new ball bowlers have failed to take early wickets, allowing the opening stand to build freely in both matches.
The betting tip is...
Highest Opening Partnership - South Africa
58 %
42 %
South AfricaWest IndiesQuinton de Kock will remain a key batter after replacing Lhuan-dre Pretorius and scoring 115 off 49 balls, contributing the bulk of the runs. Ryan Rickelton will bat at number three and will come in strong form after scoring 77 not out off 36 balls, following 40 not out off 32 in the first match.
Aiden Markram will open again after failing in the last game, but he will carry confidence from his 86 not out off 47 in the series opener.
Keshav Maharaj will continue to lead the spin attack after taking 4 wickets in two matches. Rabada, Nortje and Maphaka will form the pace unit, with Rabada expected to be more effective after a quiet series so far. Nortje went wicketless and expensive in the second. Maphaka is yet to open his wicket tally after two games without success.
Markram, de Kock and Rickelton are the key batters.
Predicted Lineup: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka.
West Indies will focus on stabilising their top order in the final T20I. Shai Hope came in as full-time captain after missing the first match due to a niggle and returning in the second. He will come into this game after a strong SA20 campaign, and his role at the top will be important.
Brandon King will provide intent after scoring 49 off 30 in the second T20I. Shimron Hetmyer will remain the standout batter after scoring 48 off 32 in the first match and 75 off 42 in the second. Sherfane Rutherford will continue at number five after carrying his SA20 form with an unbeaten 57 off 24.
West Indies will need more impact with the ball. They will have used 6 bowlers in both matches, but only 3 have taken a wicket so far. The new ball bowlers will need early breakthroughs, as South Africaβs top three have controlled both chases from the start.
Rutherford, Hope and Hetmyer are the key batters.
Predicted Lineup: Brandon King, Shai Hope (c, wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Jayden Seales, Akeal Hosein.
South Africa will start this final T20I with clear confidence at the top. Their openers will continue to make full use of home conditions, as seen in both matches where the chase was under control from the start.
The West Indies new ball bowlers have struggled to take early breakthroughs, which will allow South Africa to build another strong platform. Quinton de Kock will carry form after a big hundred, while Aiden Markram will look to stay longer at the crease.
The West Indies have been inconsistent at the top. This gap at the start will tilt the match in South Africaβs favour early.
