King looking to seal T20 series win

Regional cricket fans are bracing themselves for another exhilarating clash in the second T20 International between the West Indies and South Africa at the iconic Sabina Park. The match bowls off at 2 p.m.

After a riveting opener that saw the Windies coming away with a 28-run victory in a hard-fought encounter, anticipation is high for another thrilling showdown with the visitors having done their homework and now keen to put up a much-improved showing.

The West Indies, buoyed by their spirited performance in the first match, will be aiming to maintain their dominance and clinch the three-match series with another commanding display by their stand-in captain Brandon King who believes there are some small areas in which the team needs to brush up on if they are to seal back-to-back wins.

“I think most of the bowlers did well in the situations they were in. In the batting, we could use someone else to carry it deep and score some runs in the back end. Those small things we will be looking to improve on,” said King.

The West Indies are still to lose a T20 series at home dating back to last year, and King believes a more rounded display will give them the impetus to go on and avenge their series loss to South Africa away last year.

“We played pretty well overall in the opening game but consistency and improvement will be critical,” said King.

Only King (79), Kyle Mayers (34) and Roston Chase (32) got into double figures in the opening fixture and the stand-in skipper is hoping that players such as Andre Fletcher, Fabian Allen and opener Johnson Charles can get in on the act in front of what is set to be an even bigger Sabina Park crowd today.

King also anticipates more spin wizardry from Gudakesh Motie and Chase who did the business for the home side.

On the other hand, South Africa will be determined to bounce back and level the series with a resounding victory. Rassie van der Dussen and his men know the importance of this encounter and will leave no stone unturned in their quest for redemption. Reeza Hendricks and the dangerous Quinton de Kock will be leaned upon for the Proteas.

Hendricks says the assessment of the playing conditions from the opening game has been done and a much-improved performance is expected from the visitors.

“The wicket seems to get slower towards the end of the innings so that will pose a challenge but the batters have had a chat, and hopefully we can go out and do a better job,” Hendricks said.