South Africa vs. West Indies 3rd T20: Date, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

South Africa have already lost their three-match T20 series against the West Indies, after the men from the Caribbean took an unassailable 2-0 lead on Sunday, but there is still one match to go and South Africa have got everything to play for.

Date: Wednesday, Jan. 14

Start time: 4 p.m. GMT (6 p.m. local time)

TV and live stream: SuperSport (South Africa), TEN Cricket (India), PTV Sports (Pakistan), Orbit Show Network (Middle East), Willow TV (USA), SkySports (UK)

Weather:  AccuWeather.com has given a bleak weather forecast for the match. Thunderstorms in Durban are likely throughout the day. Although it will be clearing toward the evening, preparing the field might prove to be difficult if the rain is heavy.

Overview

For South Africa, the aim of the current T20 series against the West Indies is, partly, to get a look at some of their fringe players. That much has been evident through the rotation of the squad in the two matches thus far.

In both matches, South Africa were completely blown away by Chris Gayle. With 77 in the first T20 and 90 in the second, the big man’s average has surged to 83.50 across the two games.

He has been well-supported by Marlon Samuels and South Africa's bowling contingent has struggled to keep a lid on the scoring. Of the South African bowlers, Imran Tahir and David Wiese have been most impressive.

Barring Kyle Abbott in the T20 at the Wanderers on the weekend, South Africa’s bowlers have not bowled particularly badly. Stopping Gayle is simply an impossible task, no matter who is bowling to him or where the teams are playing. Captain Faf du Plessis admitted that it’s a struggle for a captain when Gayle is on the charge.

Luckily for Du Plessis, it won’t be him who has to think about that in the final T20. He has been rested for the final match and Justin Ontong will take over captaincy duties.

Proteas team manager, Dr Mohammed Moosajee explained: “Faf has been rested for the last T20I as a precautionary measure ahead of a busy ODI period over the next three months. He has a longstanding hip niggle and any amount of rest will be beneficial to him in the long run.” 

If the weather holds, South Africa will have one last chance to try to stop Gayle. But, if the previous two matches are anything to go by, viewers are in for yet another batting feast.

Key players

South Africa

For some time now, Imran Tahir has been a key bowler for South Africa in the T20 format. He has the lowest economy rate of all the South African bowlers this series and also boasts a nifty average of 19.00. His variations will be key.

West Indies

While Chris Gayle has scored the bulk of the West Indies' runs, Marlon Samuels has played somewhat of an anchor role. Whether he's batting with Gayle or trying to repair the innings should Gayle be dismissed early, Samuels is a very important player for the men from the Caribbean.

Squads

South Africa

David Wiese, Aaron Phangiso, David Miller, Farhaan Behardien, Jean-Paul Duminy, Wayne Parnell, Rilee Rossouw, Morne van Wyk (w/k), Imran Tahir, Marchant de Lange, Reeza Hendricks, Kyle Abbott, Kagiso Rabada, Justin Ontong (capt)

West Indies

Jason Holder, Andre Russell, Andre Fletcher, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Sammy (capt), Sulieman Benn, Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Gayle, Lendl Simmons, Denesh Ramdin (w/k), Dwayne Smith, Marlon Samuels, Ashley Nurse, Kieron Pollard

All quotes and information obtained firsthand.