West Indies aim to level series as potential T20I debut awaits for Akeal Hosein

Overview:

West Indies vs South Africa, fourth T20I
St George's, Grenada
1 July, 02:00pm local

After taking an early 1-0 lead in the five matches slated, the home side's original plan to chase has been countered well by South Africa, who have held on to 16-run and 1-run victories to go 2-1 up.

Consistent in their approach with the bat, the tourists' acclimatisation with the ball has been telling in the last two matches, restricting the explosive West Indies batting line-up by well-executed plans from their pace battery around canny spin in the middle overs.

Left-arm spin has been the catalyst of South Africa's success in the series, with George Linde and Tabraiz Shamsi combining for seven wickets across the first three matches. Shamsi in particular has been effective, and is the only bowler with an economy under five in the series.

In response, Left-arm orthodox spinner Akeal Hosein has been added to the 13-man West Indies squad, with the 28-year-old replacing off-spinner Kevin Sinclair.

Yet to taste international T20 action, Hosein has represented the West Indies in six One Day Internationals, and claimed 3/26 against Bangladesh on debut back in January. With an economy of just 4.16 in his young ODI career, Hosein concedes less than seven runs per over in domestic T20 cricket, claiming his wickets at an average under thirty.

In other squad news, Shimron Hetmyer keeps his spot after being a last-minute replacement in the last match, with Chris Gayle, the man Hetmyer replaced, deemed fit to play.

While the West Indies tinker to find their best eleven ahead of the T20 World Cup, Jason Holder will make way to fit the pair in the squad, with lead selector Roger Harper explaining that the all-rounder will sit out to ensure his match fitness across the home summer.

“Jason Holder is out of the squad on planned rest with a view to managing his workload.

"Kevin Sinclair makes way for Akeal Hosein in keeping with the Selection Panel’s quest to determine our best squad and best eleven. The objective remains to win this game and the series.”

In spite of an opportunity to claim the series with victory, just 12 of South Africa's squad of 20 have taken part in the series thus far, and Temba Bavuma's side may shuffle with an eye on the World Cup in October.

The five-match series with South Africa is part of a long T20I schedule for the West Indies. After hosting South Africa, the West Indies host Australia in Saint Lucia and Pakistan in Barbados in ten more matches before the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.