Return of ODIs: Windies, Proteas clash in tri-nation opener

First match of 50-over tournament gets underway tonight

GUYANA: Hosts West Indies and South Africa get a tri-nation ODI series underway today in Guyana with both teams in rebuilding mode following last year’s World Cup.

Australia, who lifted the global 50-over title for the fifth time with a comprehensive victory over New Zealand in the final in Melbourne 14 months ago, enter the fray on Sunday when they face the Caribbean side before tackling the Proteas two days later.

This competition, which follows a three-month period when international cricket has been almost completely dominated by the T20 format, will be played on a triple round-robin basis with three matches each in Guyana, St Kitts and Barbados before the final in Bridgetown on June 26.



Despite a historic double triumph of the men’s and women’s teams at the World T20 in India, West Indies go into the competition as underdogs based on a track record of inconsistency in this version of the sport.

Jason Holder leads a side that sees the return of all-rounder Kieron Pollard and spinner Sunil Narine.

Pollard’s return to the ODI team for the first time since the controversial abandonment of the India tour in October 2014 has sparked considerable debate given that he did not play in a regional 50-over competition in January — supposedly a requirement for selection.



Narine will be in West Indies colours following another period of rehabilitation after his bowling action was deemed illegal during the limited-over leg of the Sri Lankan campaign near the end of 2015.

There is no place in the squad for Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo and Darren Sammy, who have apparently been ignored for failing to represent their respective territories at the start of the year, when they were all involved in the Big Bash in Australia.

Since losing a pulsating World Cup semi-final to New Zealand and then suffering a shock series defeat in Bangladesh, South Africa have restored their ODI fortunes with close series wins over the New Zealanders, India and England.

Notwithstanding their all-round strength, they will rely heavily on outstanding batsman and captain AB de Villiers, both for runs and inspiration.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2016.

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