South Africa vs England
17th February 11:00hrs
Cricket – South Africa – ODI
Pick England
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 11/8 odds taken 20:18 GMT, Wednesday 5th January
Tourists England, despite some good warm-up performances, were handed a heavy defeat in their opening One Day International against South Africa. Being the World Champions, that will have been a tough pill to swallow for them as their bowlers failed to make an impact in the game. They were nowhere near full strength, however.
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Can England level the series?
There’s some extra pressure now on World Champions England. They were nowhere near their best in the opening fixture of this three-match series. A poor showing from their top order with the bat was glossed over by a rallying 87 by Joe Denly. After setting themselves well, openers Jason Roy and Johnny Bairstow got too adventurous, too early.
But then in trying to defend a 258 lead, England’s bowlers couldn’t get themselves on top of some ruthless batting by South Africa. England’s intensity in the conditions just wasn’t there. Having not lost an ODI series for three years now, they need to mount a fightback. Will they throw a stronger line-up into action?
To be fair, England were playing with something of a second-string bowling attack, which was led by Chris Woakes. Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan and debutant Matt Parkinson offered very little and that just let the Proteas getaway.
None of the back-up support took their chances. In their last seventeen One Day International fixtures, England have only failed to win four (D1 L3). It has, however, now been three straight losses in South Africa for England in ODI fixtures. They have won just one of their last five there. Their last two scheduled matches in Durban were both abandoned.
New captain Quinton de Kock inspires Proteas
Playing in his first ODI since being handed the captaincy Quinton de Kock was peerless for South Africa. He is the star of the batting order for the Proteas and a knock of 107 helped his side book a 7 wicket victory with two overs and two balls to spare.
He was just in inspired form and ruthlessly took apart England’s poor bowling attack. It wasn’t a particularly aggressively performance with the bat from De Kock, it was patient, mature and methodically accurate.
South Africa have now won their last three ODI matches, the other two in that sequence happening against Sri Lanka and South Africa at least year’s World Cup. The Proteas only won three of eight matches at the tournament, however.
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South Africa vs England Betting Advice
South Africa will fancy their chances now, even if England’s blowing attack comes back stronger. England didn’t perform with the bat at all, the top order really failing them after a good start. Durban is not a big pacy-pitch that favours bowlers either.
Key Facts – South Africa vs England Betting Tip
- South Africa won the first ODI match in the series by 7 wickets
- South Africa have won their last three home ODI’s against England
- England have played one ODI at Kingsmead and lost in 1996
This is, at best, only an average South Africa side, but England do look as if they are prepared to rest players on this tour and at the same time have a look at some of the support players. The batting of South Africa was superb in the opener. They may well make it four straight home wins over England in ODI fixtures.
