In the last few years, West Indies and South Africa contests have become as frequent as software updates on one’s system. There is always a reboot option waiting when one turns the laptop on.
Yes, the two nations have locked horns twice in the last three years in a series of two tests with the Proteas winning both, 2-0 home and away.
Truth be told, another contest between these two nations might not elevate the performance to the levels expected, as to thrive in the longest format, they need to lock horns consistently with the big three i.e. India, Australia and England.
Kagiso Rabada, South Africa’s pace sensation in a recent interview alluded to this fact, that for Test cricket to become a more level playing field, the teams outside the big three need to play them more regularly as that most certainly will boost their performance and finances.
A case in point example, South Africa have only invested in a two-test series for this entire Test cycle as they cannot afford to play three tests with their funds continuing to make the doldrums their home.
After West Indies, they lock horns with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and then Pakistan, which completes their 2023-25 ICC Test Cycle with one series against India that they played earlier this year, being their only contest against any of the big three.
Perhaps, a said state of affairs, if one was to be brutally honest.
Having said this, the scheduling is not in our control, albeit what we could look forward to is another contest between the once heavyweights of Test cricket.
The Sir Vivian Richards Trophy should be a captivating affair as both teams would look to get back to winning ways, with West Indies being annihilated by England recently in the United Kingdom, while an under-par South Africa were crucified down under at the hands of New Zealand some months back.
South Africa have brought a strong team to the Caribbean Islands with Aiden Markram looking as solid as ever at the top, and would ably be supported by new batting sensations, the likes of Tony de Zorzi and David Bedingham with the latter already piling up a test ton and two fifties in just seven innings.
These batters would be competently led by one of the most experienced test campaigners in the current Proteas setup, Temba Bavuma, who himself would have a point to prove, having been out of competitive action for the major part of this year.
When it comes to the bowling department, the South African Test Coach, Shukri Conrad has fallen back on some domestic experience in the form of pacer Dane Paterson and off-spinner Dane Peidt who both impressed in New Zealand taking five and eight wickets respectively in that two-test series.
The two Danes’ will be in the able company of ace spinner Keshav Maharaj, the tall speedster Lungi Ngidi, the ever-reliable Kagiso Rabada and the new bowling sensation of South Africa cricket, Nandre Burger who has already notched up 11 scalps in his nascent two-test career.
With this being said, the West Indies themselves would have a lot to prove having consistently succumbed to their grave in the longest format.
They would look to seniors, the likes of the returning Kemar Roach, the experienced Jason Holder and captain Kraigg Brathwaite, an accomplished batter, to provide some much-needed inspiration to make a contest of these two tests and possibly bring the trophy home after a long gap of more than 30 years.
The last time West Indies had beaten South Africa in a Test series was way back in 1991-92.
Yes, let this sink in.
With inspiration and motivation to win engulfing both the teams, this contest which starts today, should undoubtedly light up Port of Spain, the first venue of this series. A chance to shine and ensure test cricket does not only become the domain of the big-three in the time to come!
