The South African cricket team to play the West Indies, in the first test in Georgetown, starting on Thursday, has improved by about 40% since the series against Sri Lanka in August last year, says Mike Haysman.
The SuperSport commentator and presenter, who will join Michael Holding, Tony Cozier, Ian Bishop and Paul Allott in the broadcast team for the series, expects Graeme Smith’s side to do well in the West Indies.
Since losing five consecutive matches against Sri Lanka, the standard of the SA team’s cricket has improved markedly. They should ”take the gap” against a weakened Windies side, says Haysman.
They are expected to win because of the absence of some top West Indies players. However, fitness problems among the seam bowlers and the lack of world-class spinners could turn the series into a battle between the SA batsmen and the home team’s bowlers.
Against Sri Lanka, some of the South Africans were playing as if they were no more than club cricketers, says Haysman, a former first-class player himself. After making good progress during the past few months, they now face new challenges at venues where the spectators can be a major influence. ”It’s a different world out there,” says Haysman, who will be on his second stint as commentator in the Caribbean.
SuperSport will televise all four Test matches and five one-day internationals. Live coverage will start at 3.45pm on most days. — Sapa/AFP