South Africa will host West Indies in a two-match Test series, starting with first Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Tuesday (February 28).
Temba Bavum-led South Africa head into the series with some new faces and carry a win-less record in their recent five red ball assignments, while Kraigg Brathwaite's West Indies, who also have given maiden call-ups, are 2-2 in their last five Test outings.
The Proteas, who are currently fourth in WTC table, were on route to reaching the World Test Championship final till they suffered back-to-back series defeats in England and Australia.
West Indies, who are in sixth, can overtake their opponents with a series win. So, both two teams will look to start the series on a winning note.
Dates: February 28 to March 4
Start Time: 1:30 PM IST
Live Streaming: Fancode
TV Channel: Star Sports First
Now, let's take a look at the squads, possible playing 11s, dream11 fantasy picks and match prediction for South Africa vs West Indies 1st Test:
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen (wicketkeeper), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Keegan Petersen, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton.
West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice captain), Alick Athanaze, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva (wicketkeeper), Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Akeem Jordan, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Devon Thomas.
South Africa XI: Dean Elgar, Temba Bavuma (captain), Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Tony de Korzi, Henrich Klaasen (wicketkeeper), Wian Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje.
West Indies XI: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifier, Jermaine Blackwood, Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva (wicketkeeper), Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach/Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph.
Wicketkeeper: Joshua Da Silva
Batters: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kraigg Brathwaite, Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen
All Rounders: Jason Holder, Roston Chase
Bowlers: Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Alzarri Joseph
Captain: Kagiso Rabada; Vice Captain: Kraigg Brathwaite
While their recent record, doesn't look great, South Africa start favourites as hosts and thanks to their record at home in the Test format. But their last outing at the SuperSport Park was one to forget as they suffered a huge loss to India in the 2021 Boxing Day Test.
So, West Indies, who had a decent outing in Zimbabwe in their recent Test assignment, will have hope and will look to challenge and test the Protea batters with their pace battery.