NIK ANAND takes a look at the areas where the series could be decided, as Dean Elgar's misfiring Proteas come up against a West Indies team on the up in red-ball cricket
Test cricket returns to South Africa with a two-match series against West Indies starting on February 28.
South Africa returned from the three-match tour of Australia with just one draw and two losses to their name, while West Indies have been on an upward incline in red-ball cricket.
Here, NIK ANAND takes a look at the key battles that could determine the outcome of the series.
Have the Windies found an opening pair?
Throughout the Australia tour, South Africa stuck with the partnership of Sarel Erwee alongside skipper Elgar at the top of the order, with the combination failing to fire.
Dean Elgar's highest score was 26 and he averaged 9.53. Erwee managed a 42 not out in the third Test and averaged 22.40 throughout the series. If South Africa are to improve as a Test team their opening batting needs to get much better as soon as possible.
In contrast, after nearly a decade of searching, West Indies may have found a partner to Kraigg Brathwaite at the top of the order. Tagenarine Chanderpaul, son of the iconic Shivnarine, scored a historic double ton in the first Test against Zimbabwe. He finished 207 not out, and alongside the skipper's 182 helped set up a declaration of 447 in the first innings. The match ended in a draw due to poor weather in the first two days, but Chanderpaul played with some serious class and style.
Despite being dismissed for 36 in the second Test, it looks as though West Indies may have a genuine opening partnership on their hands for their tour of South Africa.
South Africa batsman Dean Elgar [Getty Images]
Pace bowling experience in South Africa
With the series being played in South Africa, there will be an emphasis on pace bowling and that gives the hosts a chance to make up for any shortcomings with the bat.
The express pace of Anrich Nortje will always be a threat to batters. In South Africa, Lungi Ngidi averages 17.91, Marco Jansen 16.47, and Kagiso Rabada 19.96. Combine all three and West Indies face a stern examination of their batting resolve.
Despite their rich heritage of producing fine quicks, West Indies’ current selection is a considerable downgrade on their hosts’ options. They also have modest experience of South African conditions.
Alzarri Joseph has never played Test cricket in South Africa despite making his Test debut in 2016, while 34-year-old Shannon Gabriel has only played two Tests in the country and averages 57.00 for his three scalps, compared to a career average of 31.88.
A change of Proteas leadership
It will be fascinating to see whether the replacement of Elgar by Bavuma has an impact on South Africa's fortunes.
Temba Bavuma was abruptly inserted as captain just prior to this series, and has downplayed any suggestion that the decision could cause a rift in the side.
"There is nothing wrong in my relationship with Dean. Dean and I have always been good teammates and I have always looked up to him as a senior player," he said in a press conference.
"He helped me to settle within the team and I don't see how things can change with whatever changes have been made from a leadership point of view. I have had discussions with Dean and there is nothing between me and Dean that anybody needs to be worried or concerned about."
South Africa batsman Temba Bavuma [AFP via Getty Images]
Getting a result through the weather
Naturally weather always comes in to play over a five-day game and the story is no different in South Africa. While the temperatures are forecast to be in the mid to high 20s degrees Celsius, there could be some intervention with rain. There are at least two days of rain forecast for both the first Test in Centurion and the final Test in Johannesburg. If there is potentially just three full days of play in both Tests then either side could struggle to get a result in either game or the series as a whole.
This is something West Indies struggled with recently. In their first Test against Zimbabwe, West Indies struggled with weather and only managed a draw despite the heroics at the top of the order from Brathwaite and Chanderpaul.
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