West Indies vs South Africa 2nd Test Betting Tips

West Indies and South Africa will face off in the second Test of the two-match series, starting from Friday in St. Lucia.

The home team will be coming in this match extremely low on confidence after suffering a comprehensive defeat in the series opener.

Therefore, West Indies Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite will be hoping that the players can put in a better performance in this series finale.

On the other hand, Dean Elgar’s South Africa are coming in this match high-on-confidence after a clinical performance in the first Test at the same venue. Despite being 1-0 up in the two-match Test series, the visitors will need to guard against complacency and play their best cricket in this series finale. A series win in the Caribbean will help South Africa finish sixth in the ICC World Test Championship (2019-2021).

Therefore, the team management will be hoping that the side continues their impressive form and seal the Test series.

West Indies Form and Team News

After a disappointing performance in the series opener, the home team will not go for wholesale changes, especially in the batting department where the hosts faltered in the first innings and were bundled out for just 97 runs on the opening day of the Test match.

In the batting department, West Indies will be depending on the likes of Captain Kraigg Brathwaite, in-form Kyle Mayers, and experienced middle-order batsman Roston Chase to score the bulk of the runs.

Nkrumah Bonner also perished for low scores in the opening game of the Test series. He will be keen to make a strong comeback with the bat for West Indies.

On the bowling front, the home side will be relying on the pace trio of Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, and Jason Holder to produce timely breakthroughs.

In the series opener, Jayden Seales put in an impressive performance in his debut game for West Indies. The 20-year old will be looking to continue his excellent form in this series finale.

South Africa Form and Team News

On the other hand, South Africa will come in this match with a lot of confidence under their belt. The batting unit is still vulnerable to collapse so the visitors will require runs from their top-order.

However, with vice-captain Temba Bavuma recovering from injury; it will be interesting to see if the visitors are tempted to bring him in place of Kyle Verreynne, who made his Test debut at St. Lucia.

The 31-year-old might make his way into the playing XI in place of Kyle Verreynne, who perished for a low score in the first Test.

In the batting department, South Africa will be relying on in-form opener Aiden Markram, Captain Dean Elgar, Rassie van der Dussen and wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton De Kock to score the bulk of the runs.

After being relieved from captaincy duties, Quinton de Kock managed to end his run drought with a splendid century in the first Test. He delivered a career-best performance for South Africa in the five-day format. Due to his brilliant 141 runs, South Africa managed to score 322 runs in their only innings at St. Lucia.

On the bowling front, just like the first Test, the onus will be on the pace trio of Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, and Lungi Ngidi to produce timely breakthroughs and put the home team’s batting under pressure.

In the previous game, the pace trio did most of the damage with the new ball and collected 18 wickets between them. Spinner Keshav Maharaj bowled well in the second innings and claimed 2 for 23 in 11 overs.

Odds by Casumo

According to the Casumo sportsbook, South Africa will be the favorites to win this second and final game of the series to be played at St. Lucia. For the second Test, South Africa are placed at 1.70 odds, while West Indies at 3.55 odds.

Check out our Cricket Odds Here

Our Tipster’s Angle

In the first Test, West Indies were completely outplayed by South Africa in all three departments of the game.

For West Indies, the likes of Kraigg Brathwaite, Kyle Mayers, Nkrumah Bonner, and Roston Chase will need to come to the party in this series finale.

On the other hand, South Africa looks well settled as a unit and will be keen to deliver another clinical performance at this venue.

Therefore, the prediction is for South Africa to win the match and complete a 2-0 whitewash in the Test Series.

Tip 1- Captain Dean Elgar keen to lead from the front with the bat

Left-hander perished for a duck against West Indies in the first Test played at St. Lucia. The 34-year old will be disappointed with his mode of dismissal in the first Test. He will be looking to get back amongst the runs.

Since November 2020, the opening batsman has accumulated 372 runs in eight outings at an average of 53.14 with one century and two half-centuries to his name. Given his consistency in the longer format of the game, we are backing Dean Elgar to score 45 runs or more in this series [email protected].

Tip 2- Anrich Nortje to continue his phenomenal form with the new-ball

There is no doubt that Anrich Nortje has been a standout bowler for South Africa in the five-day format. For the past six months, Nortje has bowled well in different conditions.

Since November 2020, Nortje has been the leading wicket-taker for South Africa in Test cricket. In five matches played, he has claimed 27 wickets at an average of 21.40 with two five-wicket hauls to his game.

After picking up seven wickets in the opening Test, we are backing Anrich Nortje to take five wickets or more in this series [email protected].

Conclusion

Expect South Africa to beat West Indies by a convincing margin and clinch the two-match Test series.

1. Dean Elgar to score 45 runs or more in this series finale- South Africa @3.00
2. Anrich Nortje to take five wickets or more in this series finale- South [email protected]

Check out our Cricket Odds Here