Australia and South Africa meet in the Cricket World Cup on Thursday, with the 2015 winners up against it following their opening match defeat to India.
Cricket betting tips: Australia v South Africa
3pts South Africa to beat Australia at 6/5 (General)
1pt Keshav Maharaj to be Man of the Match at 20/1 (General)
SOUTH AFRICA and Australia renew hostilities only a matter of weeks since these two sides played out a thrilling ODI series, one which the Proteas won at home 3-2.
That was a terrific tussle and having at one stage trailed 2-0, South Africa finished superbly to win the final three matches, before carrying that form over to India and posting 428-5 in their opening World Cup win over Sri Lanka.
Three of South Africa’s top four made hundreds in that match, and though the bowling didn’t get off unscathed, wickets were shared around as Temba Bavuma’s side ran out ultimately convincing winners.
South Africa peaking at the right time
My feeling is that South Africa are peaking at the right time and while that guarantees little come the end of the tournament, I think they meet Australia at a good time on Thursday after they themselves slipped to a six-wicket defeat to India first up.
It’s not losing to India – pre-tournament favourites – that is particularly concerning for Australia, more the manner in which defeat came, with their batting getting stuck badly in the face of high-class spin, and their own bowling lacking penetration, Josh Hazlewood apart.
With injuries to key bowlers ahead of the tournament, there was always the possibility that Australia would be slowly out of the traps, but they may well face a trial by spin from now on, with that middle order at real risk of hunkering down and batting the side into a hole just like it did against India.
I don’t envisage South Africa suffering the same fate. Aiden Markram’s 54-ball 106 against Sri Lanka was a sight to behold, but fellow centurions Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen both motored along, before Heinrich Klaasen finished things off with 39 not out from 21 deliveries.
If this batting unit continues to click, South Africa will be a danger to all, and whatever surface Lucknow serves up on Thursday, they could have too many guns for Australia.
Spin could derail Australia again
And South Africa look able to cover more bases, too. If the surface is dry and spin is expected to play a big part, they can bring in wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi to partner KESHAV MAHARAJ, who bowled so well in game one.
Having only named one frontline spinner in their squad, Australia don’t have that option, and Adam Zampa will need to raise his game significantly following a horror show against India.
At 6/5, South Africa are worth backing to win the match.
I do want to add the aforementioned Maharaj to the staking plan as well, in the hope he can get at Australia’s middle order the same way that Ravi Jadeja did on Sunday.
Jadeja claimed three wickets in that match to dismantle Australia’s batting innings, and Maharaj, another left arm spinner, returned figures of 4-33 when these sides last locked horns in Johannesburg.
In fact, Maharaj was excellent all through that series and any assistance from the Lucknow surface could mean he’s in business again.
He looks worth a small bet in the Man of the Match market at 20/1.
Preview published at 1700 BST on 09/10/23
Related links
- Click here for Sky Bet's World Cup odds
- Cricket World Cup: Team-by-team guide
- Paul Krishnamurty's cricket betting masterclass
- Cricket World Cup: Under the radar players
- Latest cricket Only Bettor podcast
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