Tag: David Miller

Cricket ODI South Africa vs. Australia : Get Ready for Runs

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The fourth One Day International (ODI) between South Africa and Australia could be a record-breaking affair in Port Elizabeth. With South Africa posting the second-highest run chase in ODI history on October 5, Russell Domingo’s men will line up on October 9 full of confidence.

Leading the charge and knocking balls for six like they were going out of fashion in the third match was South Africa’s David Miller. Notching up 118 not out, Miller’s efforts not only helped the home side claim victory by four wickets, but it outshone two superb innings by Australia’s David Warner and Steve Smith.

Heading into the fourth match it could be this fact alone that will give South Africa the edge. Despite Warner and Smith both notching up centuries to help the Aussies to a 371-6 total, their best just wasn’t enough to topple a South Africa team on white-hot form. When any team produces a strong performance but still walks away in second place it can be a tough pill to swallow and, if that’s true on October 9, we could see Australia choke again.

South Africa Odds on for a Fourth Win

The latest cricket betting odds at Ladbrokes has South Africa leading the way at 8/11 with Australia bringing up the rear at 11/10. Over at Sun Bets it’s much of the same, as South Africa is currently topping the odds with a betting line set at 4/6.

From an overall perspective, this match could easily go either way. South Africa might have the psychological and numerical edge, but Australia’s players gave a strong account of themselves in the third showdown. With that being the case, it would be remiss of a canny punter to overlook the 6/5 price Winner Sports has on offer.

Of course, if you really want to unearth some value from this ODI clash, it’s worth looking at the individual player market. As we’ve said, Miller put on a clinic last time out, and could have batted well over the 118 had he not run out of time. With that match taking place just a few days ago, it’s hard to see how Miller will have lost his touch in that time, which means he could be on for another strong total if he gets to the crease.

It’s Miller Time

For anyone willing to jump on that bandwagon, 6/1 at Sun Bets for Miller to be the top scorer is too tempting a price to overlook, as is 22/1 Andile Phehlukwayo who hit 42 not out in the same game. If you’re inclined to look on the other side of the oval towards Australia’s finest, seeing past Warner and Smith in the batting stakes is tough.

Indeed, not only did they both hit centuries last time out, there’s a chance South Africa will take their eye off the ball on October 9. With a 3-0 lead in the five-game series, the pressure (and possibly incentive) is off, and that could cause South Africa to take their foot off the gas this weekend. If that does happen, the likes of Warner and Smith are more than capable of seizing that opportunity.

11/4 for Warner and 7/2 for Smith being the top Aussie batsman are strong prices from Winner Sports. If leading totals aren’t your thing but you like the look of Warner, Sun Bet’s 5/6 on the Aussie scoring over 32.5 runs is certainly tempting.

Of course, if you’re a neutral and enjoy a coin flip (literally), 10/11 on either side winning the toss over at Ladbrokes should provide a sniff of added excitement before the balls start to fly.

Cricket: South Africa welcome back de Kock for final ODI

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The South African cricketing summer ends tonight with the final ODI between the hosts and the West Indies.  SuperSport Park is expected to be packed as locals take up the final chance to see their side off before they fly off to Australia and New Zealand to try and win the Cricket World Cup.

Centurion’s day nighter is the also the final chance for teams to tinker with their line-ups ahead of the warm-up games.  West Indies probably won’t tinker after their dramatic win in game four, but South Africa have already hinted at some changes.  Therefore it should be an exciting finale.

The Last Time These Two Met

The West Indies enjoyed an unlikely first win of the series in Port Elizabeth.  The win was brought about by a fantastic chase of 263 that for the most part looked unlikely.  Andre Russell (64*) and Darren Sammy (51) combined to wrestle the initiative away from a South African side who themselves had fallen behind early and needed a rescue effort of their own.  Their rescue was led by David Miller who made a tremendous 130.  His knock didn’t really deserve to be on the losing side, but neither did Russell’s. Although the win doesn’t affect the series it will add some respectability to the series scoreline.

The Teams

South Africa (likely): 1 Hashim Amla (capt), 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 Rilee Rossouw, 5 JP Duminy, 6 Farhaan Behardien, 7 David Miller, 8 Wayne Parnell, 9 Kyle Abbott 10 Vernon Philander, 11 Aaron Phangiso

The glorious sight of Quentin de Kock at the top of the order will put smiles on a lot of South African fans’ faces as they build towards the Cricket World Cup.  He’ll open with Amla, with Rossouw dropping down to 4 to fill the void left by AB de Villiers’ rest.  Dale Steyn is still resting too, meaning another chance for Abbott, while Phangiso may get another chance instead of Imran Tahir.

West Indies (likely):  1 Chris Gayle, 2 Dwayne Smith, 3 Leon Johnson, 4 Marlon Samuels, 5 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 6 Jonathan Carter, 7 Darren Sammy, 8 Andre Russell, 9 Jason Holder (capt), 10 Carlos Brathwaite , 11 Sheldon Cottrell

Injury concerns for Lendl Simmons and Sulieman Benn could mean the West Indies field the same side that won game 4 at Port Elizabeth.

The Key Players

Quinton de Kock – The 22-year-old enters the series for the first time after a long ankle enforced injury layoff, and will come under immediate scrutiny from opposition bowlers and the South African selectors.  When fit de Kock is definitely a part of the best team on account of his batting prowess and his keeping that eases the burden on de Villiers.  However, he doesn’t have much time to prove he’s fit and in form.  Especially given how well Russouw and van Wyk have done in his absence.

Darren Sammy – Andre Russell got most of the plaudits for guiding his side to a first victory in the series the last time the teams played, but Sammy deserves some too.  The former captain was instrumental in the chase – without his contribution it would have been too much for Russell to do.  He’s a true professional that has rolled with a number of WICB punches over the years, and we love the fact he still gives his all every time.  We’re expecting another explosive performance from Sammy.

The Odds*

South Africa – $1.34

West Indies – $3.25

*Courtesy of BetEasy.

The Prediction

No de Villiers, no Steyn.  Ama returning, de Kock returning.  The personnel changes tend to balance themselves out a bit, and Amla never really fails.  Even still, take a punt on West Indies again.  Worth it at that money and Gayle is due.

Cricket: WI hoping change of pace brings change of fortune

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

With one eye on the World Cup, and one on the dodgy weather that has plagued the tour thus far, this T20 series isn’t getting a whole heap of attention.  That may be exactly what the West Indies need to be competitive and sneak a couple of wins ahead of the World Cup.

The Last Time These Two Met

Just one run separated the sides in 2010 when they last met.  Plenty has changed since the North Head match though; Chanderpaul and Sarwan were still playing for the West Indies; Smith and Botha for South Africa.  The overall record between the teams shows us that South Africa usually win but by a small margin. 

The Teams

South Africa (likely): 1 Morne van Wyk (wk), 2 Reeza Hendricks/Rilee Rossouw, 3 Faf du Plessis (capt), 4 Farhaan Behardien, 5 David Miller, 6 David Wiese/Justin Ontong, 7 Wayne Parnell, 8 David Wiese, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Marchant de Lange, 11 Imran Tahir

South Africa’s squad features a number of players who are not involved in their World Cup campaign, meaning there is an element of future planning evident in the team.  A prime example of that is U19 World Cup winner Kagiso Rabada.  Of the players who have made the 15, there will be plenty of interest in Duminy’s form and fitness, as well as eyes on Miller and Behardien as they look to build some form for the February tournament.

West Indies (likely): 1 Chris Gayle, 2 Dwayne Smith, 3 Lendl Simmons, 4 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 5 Marlon Samuels, 6 Kieron Pollard, 7 Jason Holder, 8 Darren Sammy (capt), 9 Andre Russell, 10 Sulieman Benn, 11 Sheldon Cottrell

Chris Gayle is the name that jumps out of the reinforcements that have been summoned to make West Indies more competitive in the T20 series.  After sitting out the test series because of a back complaint, the destructive opener will be looking to build on some exciting form he showed for the Lions in South Africa’s domestic T20 tournament.  Smith, Pollard, Sammy and Russell are the other new faces.

The Key Players

Marchant de Lange – Once destined to play a huge amount of games for South Africa the genuine quick bowler has had his career stall thanks to injury and form concerns.  His numbers rest at just 2 tests, 2 ODI’s, and 3 T20 games.  That’s too few for someone who took seven wickets in his first effort in test cricket.  South Africa will be hoping he can lead the attack in the absence of some of the names they hope de Lange will eventually replace in the test team.

Chris Gayle – The veteran of 193 T20 games owns an incredible record – 14 centuries in all T20 cricket, including a best of 175* (which is, amazingly, better than his highest ODI score).  He’s made a name for himself in the format and has a list of franchises he’s played for longer than most shopping lists.  Expect fireworks from Gayle against the relatively inexperienced opposition attack. 

The Odds*

South Africa – $1.80

West Indies – $2.00

*International Cricket odds courtesy of Ladbrokes Australia.

The Prediction

South Africa’s willingness to rest players may leave them exposed in this series, especially given their form in Australia in the format was less than convincing.  I really like West Indies chances here.  Ladbrokes Australia are offering good money on the win, and good money on the tourists to be ahead after 1 and 6 overs too.