Last night’s late finish in Perth has put paid to our three questions feature, so we have only, the day’s action preview for you, with odds from BetEasy.
Today’s Matchups
1. South Africa v Pakistan, Eden Park (Auckland – windy with rain expected), starts 2:00pm local time
South Africa – $1.25
Pakistan – $4.00
Eden Park’s tiny boundaries could be in for an awful peppering if South Africa bat first and continue their 400 scoring form against Pakistan today. Back to back 400’s have the South Africans supremely confident heading into their penultimate Pool game. The 400 possibility is made even likely due an injury to Pakistan’s best bowler, Mohammed Irfan.
Five South Africans have already registered hundred in this World Cup and we’re expecting more today. South Africa will hope that it comes from Quentin de Kock who is in horrible form, in fact he might not even make the side to day with Rilee Rossouw and AB de Villers both keeping options.
Pakistan probably won’t be able to chase down (or set 400) but they did muster 300 for the first time on the tournament in their last try. Plenty of their batsman got much needed crease time in the win against UAE, but that doesn’t guarantee they’ll be able to cope with Steyn and Morkel.
The only other thing getting in the way of 400 is the Auckland weather. It looks decidedly average on the rain radar in Auckland.
2. Zimbabwe v Ireland, Bellerive Oval (Hobart – cloudy), starts 2:30pm local time
Zimbabwe -$2.25
Ireland – $1.66
This should be one of the closest games between the second tier nations we’ve seen at the World Cup. The teams are evenly matched on paper, and both have had their ups and downs in the tournament thus far.
Zimbabwe have batted well on most occasions, as have Ireland (bar their last effort against South Africa), but both teams are struggling big time with the ball, especially at the death. Brendon Taylor and Sean Williams are the mainstays of the Zimbabwe batting order and their contributions and calm heads could be influential against the slow bowling options of Ireland.
We think this will go right down to the wire, and the team that wins is the team that finds their bowling lengths at the death.
Today’s Multi
The Imitation Multi
Both the names of Brendon Taylor and Haris Sohail feature the names of other international crickets. For instance there is a host of other Taylors at the World Cup (Ross, James, Jerome). And Haris is also the name of an Australia quickie not currently playing but well know. So this is the imitation multi.
Haris Sohail to Top Score at $5 + Brendon Taylor to Outscore (Joyce and Sterling) at $2.60 = $13.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
