England opened up a 1-0 series lead in their ODI duel with South Africa on Wednesday. England put a decent score up in the match at Headingley, with a top score of 107 from captain Eoin Morgan carrying them to a 339-6 total batting first. With South Africa, the top ODI side in the world and carrying four of the world’s top eleven batsmen in their ranks though, there was always the threat of the tourists putting on a serious chase.
The Proteas were looking comfortable early on in their response with Hashim Amla and Du Plessis cracking off half-centuries and they looked well poised at 145-1 at one point. But then tourists pretty much just started giving their wickets away and England’s bowling attack obliged. Going into the series, there were questions about whether or not England’s attack with the ball in hand was strong enough to match up to their batting.
But they came through pretty well at Headingley and now with the advantage under their belt they have been cut to a price of 4/5 at Ladbrokes to win the second match up on Saturday in Southampton. South Africa are a quote of even money at Ladbrokes to land the victory. They can, of course, expect something of a fightback from the Proteas in this one, because they do have the batting power to pull themselves back into this Series. So on the road to the Champions Trophy this year, this is another step in England’s progress.
Will they be able to hold their nerve if they come under pressure of some stern South African resistance? England’s run of form at the Rose Bowl too may edge something towards the South Africans as well because England have lost five of their last six matches played there. The track will be very batsman-friendly which will play into the pocket of the tourists as much as England. You can take a quote of 4/5 at Ladbrokes on any player scoring a century in the match while you have an abundance of options in the batting markets.
Jos Buttler is a tempting 7/1 punt to finish at Top England Batsman for the second ODI while you have Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock at 10/3 joint-favourites to top score for visitors. The latter looks a fantastic punt for the track that he will be playing on. You are likely going to be looking a very strong batting scores in this one and over 300 in the first innings looks more than likely to happen. Will England be able to now, with an advantage on the board, step on the gas and really put their opponents to the sword? If the latter happens, if they are ruthless enough to pull off the win in the second match then their Champions Trophy stock would rise.
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