The State of Play
It’s all to play for tomorrow but this has not been a great series. In fact, it’s barely been a series at all. The first game was washed out completely while yesterday’s 2nd T20I was also seriously impacted by the weather with South Africa eventually reaching their rain-affected target of 152 with seven balls remaining. Opener Reeza Hendricks was the star with an unbeaten 49 off 27 balls.
The main purpose of these matches was to size up potential inclusions for the T20 World Cup in the West Indies next year. Yet, very little will have been learned.
The forecast is much better for Johannesburg, however, so hopes are high for a pulsating game.
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Team News
South Africa will be without all-rounder Gerald Coetzee and bowler Marco Jansen who have left the squad to prepare for the upcoming Test series. Nandre Burger and Donovan Ferreira are set to deputise.
Deepak Chahar remains in India tending to a personal matter so won’t play. India must choose between Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shubman Gill at the top of the order.
Expected line-ups
South Africa: Hendricks, Breetzke, Markam (c), Klaasen (wk), Miller, Stubbs, Ferreira, Phehlukwayo, Williams, Burger, Shamsi
India: Jaiswal, Gill, Varma, Yadav (c), R Singh, Sharma (wk), Jadeja, A Singh, Bishnoi, Siraj, Kumar
PROTEAS TAKE THE ADVANTAGE 🇿🇦
A rampant start to the chase from Reeza Hendricks(49) & Matthew Breetzke(16) steered the Proteas to victory 🔥🏏
What a blockbuster as SA go 1-0 up in the series 🍿#WOZANAWE #BEPARTOFIT #SAVIND PIC.TWITTER.COM/OYSL3YSZ5R
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) DECEMBER 12, 2023
What they said
South Africa captain Aiden Markram on the impact made by Reeza Hendricks
“Hendricks has been fantastic. He’s adopted a bit of a leadership role in the batting. Ultimately you want to pick form players for the World Cup, so from the selection point of view, there might still be a few places up for grabs. That healthy competition means a lot for us.”
India great Sunil Gavaskar on bowler Ravi Bishnoi
“Ravi Bishnoi is still finding his feet at the international level. Yes, he is the number one T20 bowler in the world but again, if you get stuck into him, sometimes you tend to see him bowl faster and quicker. The faster you bowl on a good pitch, it gets that much easier for the batters because the pace is exactly what they are looking for.”
When and how to watch
The 3rd T20I takes place at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, starting at 3pm UK time. It can be watched on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket with the programme starting at 2.30pm.
Prediction
The absence of Coetzee and Jansen will weaken South Africa and expect India to take advantage. There are World Cup places up for grabs, and plenty of competition, so those with a shirt need to impress.
