Tag: ODI Cricket betting

Chance for NZ, SA to Break Series Deadlock

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

New Zealand finally managed to break South Africa’s long standing unbeaten one day international cricket streak with a tight 6-run win in Christchurch on Wednesday. The win, built around a solid first innings total and some excellent death bowling, gives the series much-needed context, rather than the prospect of a rampant runaway away side.

The close nature of the two completed games suggests another close one may be on the cards at Westpac Stadium. The teams have played twice at the venue before with one win apiece. AB de Villiers will have fond memories of the ground, he scored 106* here in 2012 to win South Africa the game.

The Series So Far

Game one was a rip-roaring affair that went down to the final over. The result was a win to South Africa by four wickets.

Game two was awfully similar. Down to the last over again, this time New Zealand managed to get their death bowling in order to sneak a win by 6 runs. The win was built around solid contributions from Ross Taylor (102*), Jimmy Neesham (71*) and Kane Williamson (69), but at the halfway stage, New Zealand’s 289 looked to be about 20 runs short on an excellent surface.

South Africa’s chase again looked on course at 192-4, before middle over wobbles saw the wheels briefly fall off at 214-8. The optimism was restored with a fighting ninth-wicket partnership of 61 between Pretorius and Phehlukwayo only for Tim South and Trent Boult to produce 10 un-hittable block hole deliveries.

The Teams

South Africa (from)

AB de Villiers (capt), Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi

There was no surprise to see Behardien lose his place in the side after his struggles and David Miller contributed to a much more balanced side. The Proteas desperately missed Kagiso Rabada and will be hanging out for his return to full fitness.

New Zealand (from)

Kane Williamson (capt), Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor

Tom Latham is under huge pressure after struggling to make an impact in the series thus far. Wearing the gloves seems to be an imposition he hasn’t been able to deal with. NZ will probably remain unchanged, but the Sodhi vs Ferguson debate will probably be had again on the morning of the match.

The Key Players

South Africa

Quinton de Kock hasn’t looked in the best form since he’s arrived in New Zealand, but he hasn’t let that stop his scoring. After a duck in the T20 game, de Kock responded nicely with 69 in the opening one-dayer despite struggling with his timing early (although most others did too). And then 57 on Wednesday in Christchurch. It’a measure of his ability that he turned the difficult starts into a score, although surprising he didn’t turn either fifties into a hundred. His conversion rate is incredible, 12 hundreds and 11 fifties, and the fifty and out was a surprise ending on both occasions.

New Zealand

Colin de Grandhomme probably should’ve played more cricket for the Black Caps than he has. A devastating all-rounder at domestic level, de Grandhomme has struggled to find his feet at international level. However, recent performances might be indicating that the footing is getting a little more stable. de Grandhomme has made important contributions with both bat and ball in the opening two games of the tour, 34* off 19 balls in the ODI; 15 off 7 in the T20 and 2-22 with the ball in the T20. It’s these ‘bits and pieces’ contributions that make him a valuable all-rounder and a high strike rate cameo could be the difference between NZ winning and losing.

The Match Odds*

South Africa – $1.55

New Zealand – $2.45

*All odds from Unibet.

The Prediction

New Zealand has a lot of players contributing to their success. Bowlers are sharing wickets, batsmen are in the runs (excluding Latham) and we think that’s enough to give them a win here by 5 wickets or 30 runs.

The Best Bets

Casting aside some individual player betting markets for a second, we’ve found a near certainty. Okay, so nothing’s a certainty, but South Africa to have the higher opening partnership (Amla and de Kock) at $1.72 looks easy money. Tom Latham can’t buy a run.

Individually, Chris Morris is priced at $4.25 to be South Africa’s top bowler. He’s swung the ball both ways in the opening two outings and is a nice option again.

Black Caps Desperate to Break Protea’s 12 Game Winning Streak

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

South Africa have started their tour of New Zealand in the same way they’ve played their last 12 ODI games – by winning. After beating Australia 5-0 and then Sri Lanka 5-0 (both at home), the South Africans have showcased their self-belief, a trait AB de Villiers has said is at the highest level he has seen in his 13 years around the squad, by beating the Black Caps in both the one-off T20 game the ODI opener.

The series now heads to Christchurch on Wednesday, we preview the action below:

The Series So Far

The ODI series opener in Hamilton was a rain-shortened affair that ended with the same result as the Twenty20 game just two days earlier. However, the manner of the South African victory was a lot different.

In a game that went right down to the wire, South Africa snuck a win by three wickets after successfully chasing 208 in 34 overs. AB de Villiers guided the chase home, scoring a composed 37 not out from 32 balls, but was terrifically supported by Andile Phehlukwayo (29 off 23).

In truth, South Africa bossed the game for a lot of it. They had NZ in trouble early at 108-5 before Tim Southee and Colin de Grandhomme added an unbeaten 51 (from about four overs) to drag the Black Caps to 207. South Africa looked in total control at 88-0, but lost clusters of wickets to the slow bowlers and fast bowlers imitating slow bowlers, to the point where they required 22 off the final two overs.

The Teams

South Africa (from)

AB de Villiers (capt), Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi.

South Africa have a few choices to make. Farhaan Behardien is woefully out of form and could be replaced by David Miller. Tabraiz Shamsi might also miss out with Wayne Parnell and Dane Paterson the options to replace him.

New Zealand (from)

Kane Williamson (capt), Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Dean Brownlie, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor.

The only change NZ may consider is using Lockie Ferguson rather than Ish Sodhi on the quicker surface, unless they’re brave enough to drop the underperforming Tim Southee too.

The Key Players

South Africa

Kagiso Rabada is one of the premium up and coming quicks on the international circuit. Although, it might be unkind to call him up and coming considering he’s already announced himself with big performances against England (13-144), Australia (5-92) and Sri Lanka (10-92) over the past two seasons. Rabada can bowl quickly for long spells with devastating accuracy, a combination that is deadly in the test game, but equally useful in the ODI game – as his debut figures (the best of any debutant) of 6-16, including a hat-trick, against Bangladesh attest to. We’re predicting Rabada to have a big impact here in game two.

New Zealand

Tom Latham could be about to become New Zealand’s number one wicketkeeper in the one day game given that the selectors are stuck between not liking the form or incumbent, Luke Ronchi, and not trusting the ability of newcomer, Tom Blundell. Ronchi’s 35 and horribly out of form. It’s understandable if they part ways with him. But will Hesson go for Latham, an established batsman in the test and one-day game or Blundell, a very accomplished player in his own right. It seems they’re leaning towards Latham for the balance he offers the side, but he must contribute more with the bat than the zero he made in Hamilton.

The Match Odds*

South Africa – $1.32

New Zealand – $2.60

*All odds from Sportsbet.

The Prediction

South Africa are now unbeaten in their last 12 ODIs. It’s an unbelievable record that will be very tricky for the Black Caps to break. Despite the drama of Hamilton, we’re picking South Africa to shade game 2 as well. South Africa by five wickets or 40 runs.

The Best Bets

Kane Williamson looked a class above his compatriots on the tacky Hamilton surface that de Villiers described as one of the toughest he’s played on. He’ll be a good chance at top scoring at $3.75, but also consider Dean Brownlie, Martin Guptill’s replacement who plays brilliantly off the back foot and will benefit from the added bounce at Hagley.

Black Caps Head to Hamilton Needing to Improve

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

New Zealand’s unbeaten home summer of cricket came to an end in spectacular fashion last night. The Black Caps were trounced by the visiting South Africans in the series opening Twenty20 game held at an Eden Park ground that was as bleak as the Black Caps performance was.

The 78-run thrashing (albeit expected given South Africa’s superior T20 history) sets up an exciting five match series beginning at Seddon Park in Hamilton. We preview the series opener below:

The Last Time These Two Met

The Black Caps toured South Africa in August 2015 and lost the ODI series 2-1. With the series to play for in Durban in the final ODI, New Zealand faltered badly to be all out for 221 chasing 284. The loss compounded a tough series for the New Zealand side and a tough initiation for new captain Kane Williamson. This came after New Zealand’s clutch World Cup semi-final win at Eden Park

More recently, the teams competed in a series-opening Twenty20 match at Eden Park on Friday night. The tourists completely dominated the Black Caps in all facets of the game to set an ominous tone for the series.

The Teams

South Africa (from)

AB de Villiers (capt), Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi

Most of South Africa’s stars made contributions to the win on Friday night in Auckland. Particularly impressive were Chris Morris and Andile Phehlukwayo who may not have been automatic selections for the ODI games, but who would have done their selection chances no harm.

New Zealand (from)

Kane Williamson (capt), Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Dean Brownlie, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor.

Ross Taylor and Neil Broom are important additions to the ODI squad. The Black Caps middle order woes have been exposed in a few formats this year (and in the one-off T20 game), and the experienced pair will significantly strengthen the side. Dean Brownie will open the batting; in for the injured Martin Guptill. While Ish Sodhi is another spin option and might come into the equations in Hamilton, a ground he’s performed well at in the past.

The Key Players

South Africa

The celebratory runs each time he took a wicket may have been a tad over the top, but the praise that Imran Tahir received after his five wicket haul in the T20 was not. Tahir completely outfoxed the New Zealand batsman with his variations (the wrong un-especially effective) to take five wickets and underpin his credentials as the best ODI bowler in the world. The Black Caps worrying inability to pick the leg spinner will have Tahir eyeing up another haul of wickets.

New Zealand

If there was one positive note to come out the T20 loss on Friday night it was the performance of left-arm quick, Trent Boult. Boult’s incredible spell yielded two wickets for just eight runs and will have had IPL teams salivating about the prospect of snapping him up at the player auction tonight. Boult may be back to his best given his form from Friday and his resurgence against Australia in the home portion of the Chappell-Hadlee series.

The Match Odds*

South Africa – $1.61

New Zealand – $2.30

*All odds from Bet365.

The Prediction

South Africa was so impressive in the Twenty20 match at Eden Park that it is difficult to predict anything other than another win. It’s simply too hard to fathom a match where de Kock, Amla, de Villiers or du Plessis all fail – and that’s without even mentioning their bowlers. The Brown / Taylor middle order isn’t enough to offset the Protea’s class. South Africa by three wickets or 40 runs.

The Best Bets

We’ve previously noted Ish Sodhi’s great record at Seddon Park (his 2-31 against Australia last year the highlight) where he plays his domestic cricket. Thus at $5 to be the Top Wicket-taker he’s a nice chance.

If you’re keen to go all in on the leg spinners, Imran Tahir is slightly shorter at $4 but a great chance given his form and current ODI ranking.

Australia to Close Out Pakistan 4-1 Ahead of Chappell-Hadlee Trip

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The Adelaide Oval will host the final one day international of the tour between Australia and Pakistan on Thursday. The series has already been won by Australia, so Pakistan is simply playing for pride, which is a difficult proposition in any form of sport at the end of a long trip.

Adelaide last hosted these two teams during 2015’s World Cup. The sides met in the quarter-final – made famous for Wahhabi Riaz’s spell of fast bowling to Shane Watson – where Australia won by six wickets.

We preview the likelihood of a similar result in game five below.

The Series So Far

Australia leads the series comfortably by three games to one. The most recent win in Sydney came on the back of a massive David Warner hundred and a blitzing Glenn Maxwell cameo. In response to Australia’s 353 (which was helped massively by Pakistan’s clumsy fielding, in a similar way to the way they fielded in the test series), Pakistan only managed 267. They got a breathtaking cameo from Sharjeel Khan but needed it to continue for a lot longer.

With the series already decided, the best Pakistan can achieve is a dead rubber win to lose the series 3-2. It’s hard to know if that’s deserved given they are often their own worst enemies (despite some great cricket at times).

The Teams

Australia (probable)

1 David Warner, 2 Usman Khawaja, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 Travis Head, 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Peter Handscomb, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 James Faulkener, 9 Adam Zampa, 10 Josh Hazlewood, 11 Mitchell Starc

Australia is likely to tinker with their line-up given they’ve already sown the series up, but it’s hard to know which personnel will be affected. Pat Cummins who has played every game, and in the past been pretty injury prone, might make way for Adam Zampa.

Pakistan (probable)

1 Sharjeel Khan, 2 Azhar Ali (capt), 3 Babar Azam, 4 Mohammad Hafeez, 5 Shoaib Malik, 6 Asad Shafiq, 7 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 8 Imad Wasim, 9 Mohammad Amir, 10 Junaid Khan, 11 Hasan Ali.

There’s no reason why Umar Akmal should play after disappointing in the finisher role throughout the series. Asad Shafiq could replace him, although his series has been equally lean. The only other potential changes are in the bowling stocks info it’s deemed appropriate to rest Amir or Junaid.

The Key Players

Australia

Usman Khawaja has had a difficult series opening the batting instead of regular Aaron Finch. After Travis Head was tried in game one, Khawaja has been used in the remaining games to disappointing effect. He hasn’t passed 30 and now he’s been overlooked for the Chappell-Hadlee series against New Zealand starting on January 30 (he’s going to India early to prepare on turning wickets). Finch has been included in that series, so Khawaja needs to send the selectors a reminder of his worth in the one day game with a big knock in game five.

Pakistan

Sharjeel Khan was electrifying in Sydney. On a fabulous batting wicket, the left-handed smashed 74 off just 47 balls to heap the pressure on the Australian bowlers. The entertaining innings included ten fours and three sixes and it ended only when leg-spinner Adam Zampa was introduced to the attack. In a dead rubber, the powerful left-handed can throw caution to the wind, which is a dangerous thought for the locals.

The Match Odds*

Australia– $1.21

Pakistan – $4.45

*All odds from Sportsbet.

The Prediction

Australia to take the series 4-1 with another comprehensive victory. When touring sides enter the home stretch of a long, unsuccessful tour the final game is often a bridge too far. With one eye on the flight home, it’s hard to see the Pakistan side being motivated or competitive. Australia by 90 runs or 7 wickets.

The Best Bets

Azhar Ali has recovered from his injury woes and could be a good look for top run scorer. The patient opener doesn’t miss out often, and at $3.75 and a much better player than his teammates, he looks worth a punt.

Steve Smith is at $4 for the same bet. In a series where the captain’s been inconsistent, a strong finish looks likely.

Pakistan Need Immediate Reversal to Stop Slide

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Australia is notoriously difficult to beat in one day cricket at home (most cricket as a matter of fact), and thus it proved in game one of their series against Pakistan at the Gabba. Australia ran out winners by 92 runs, and Pakistan may just have missed their best chance to steal a win from a team that India and New Zealand of late have found impossible to do so.

We preview game two of the series in Melbourne with a look at how the teams line up and how you might make some money from some of the more generous odds on offer.

The Series So Far

Australia were easy winners in game one in Brisbane despite falling to 78/5 at one stage. A fine recovery effort by Matthew Wade (100) and Glenn Maxwell (60) steadied the ship and saw Australia through to 268, which they easily defended thanks to James Faulkeners 4-32.

Pakistan will rue letting Australia off the hook, especially after taking the key wickets of David Warner and Steven Smith from consecutive deliveries. They’ll also be looking for a much-improved batting effort – the 176 they managed in game one won’t win them anything.

The Teams

Australia (probable)

1 David Warner, 2 Travis Head, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 Chris Lynn, 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 James Faulkener, 9 Pat Cummins, 10 Josh Hazlewood, 11 Billy Stanlake

Mitchell Starc might be given a rest in a straight swap for Josh Hazlewood. Hazlewood, the game’s number one ranked test bowler earned a rest at the Gabba thanks to a heavy workload during the test series.

Pakistan (probable)

1 1 Azhar Ali (capt), 2 Sharjeel Khan, 3 Mohammad Hafeez, 4 Babar Azam, 5 Mohammed Nawaz, 6 Umar Akmal, 7 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 8 Imad Wasim, 9 Mohammad Amir, 10 Wahab Riaz, 11 Hasan Ali.

Junaid Khan could enter the mix, either if Amir is rested or at the expense of one of Imad Wasim or Mohammad Nawaz. Shoaib Malik or Asad Shafiq are the other names that could cross the selector’s minds if they feel they need to strengthen their batting.

The Key Players

Australia

Chris Lynn is probably the key player not for his own side but for his own position in the side. The big hitting BBL freak needs to find a way to bring his six hitting T20 exploits to the ODI game, and if he can he can secure his place in the side permanently with an eye on the Champions Trophy in the UK this winter. Expect Lynn to curtail his slog sweeping in game two, but not completely.

Pakistan

Imad Wasim put in a fine ten over spell in game one. His quick little sliders were difficult to get away, meaning he was easily the best bowler on display in the visitor’s side, registering 2-35. His left-armers could again be the key in the crucial middle overs here in game two.

The Match Odds*

Australia– $1.21

Pakistan – $4.50

*All odds from Palmerbet.

The Prediction

Australia should forge on in game two and take a 2-0 lead in the series. They’ve won 17 of their past 21 ODIs against Pakistan, and we can’t see the eight best ODI team challenging them in any of the three areas of the game at the MCG. Australia by six wickets or 70 runs.

The Best Bets

Travis Head has made a number of half centuries and other promising starts in his ODI career to date. He’s just missing that really big score to truly announce his place in the side permanently. If you think game two could be the game (with him opening and having a greater chance now), then the $5 on him being the top batsman should be attractive.

Babar Azam looked the best Pakistani player in game one and not simply because he top scored. His runs were scored effortlessly before a rash stroke saw him exit for 33. He’s also at $5 to top score again for his side and looks like good money.

Bangladesh Seek Improved Showing; NZ a Series Win

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The New Zealand, Bangladesh ODI series moves to Nelson, to a pitch expected to be slower and lower than the Christchurch opener, and thus suit the slow bowling nous of the Bangladesh side. The slower pitch could also counteract the New Zealand short bowling tactic that was employed extensively in game one but made for boring viewing.

Here’s hoping for a closer game in Nelson, one that’s not dominated by bouncers:

The Series So Far

The Black Caps took game one in Christchurch by 77 runs after Tom Latham and Colin Munro took the game away from the Bangladeshis late in the first innings. Latham made 137 and Munro 87 to carry New Zealand to 341, which proved to be far too good. Bangladesh showed they wouldn’t fall over, but in the end, New Zealand’s sustained short bowling tactic managed to find their opponents fall short.

The Teams

New Zealand (likely):

1 Martin Guptill, 2 Tom Latham, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Neil Broom, 5 James Neesham , 6 Colin Munro, 7 Luke Ronchi (wk), 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Lockie Ferguson, 11 Trent Boult

New Zealand is unlikely to make changes to the side that comfortably won game one. Tim Southee and Trent Boult are being rested later in the series so expect them to play again at the expense of Matt Henry and Colin de Grandhomme.

Bangladesh (likely):

1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Mahmudullah, 4 Shakib Al Hasan, 5 Sabbir Rahman, 6 Mosaddek Hossain, 7 Nurul Hasan (wk), 8 Mehedi Hasan/Tanbir Hayder, 9 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Taskin Ahmed

With Mushfiqur Rahman out of the series with a hamstring injury, Nurul Hasan will don the gloves. He’s likely to be joined by either Mehedi Hasan or Tanbir Hayde, either of which could replace the at risk Soumya Sarkar.

The Key Players

New Zealand

Given he’s only played three one-day internationals, it seems a little odd to be highlighting Lockie Ferguson, but New Zealand’s obvious tactic to bowl short at the Bangladeshi batsman means Ferguson is a critical cog in the Black Caps game plan. The right armer will be asked to bowl fast, short and threatening and when he does, he’s a chance to take a fist full of wickets.

Bangladesh

Without Mishfiqur, Shakib Al Hasan shapes up as the most important player in the tourist’s side. The world-class all round compiled a polished fifty in the first game but needs to turn that into a big hundred here in game two if his side is to have a chance. Shakib does need to be careful not to get too loose attacking the short ball. He appeared to get too hyped up flailing at the short stuff and needs to be more composed; picking the appropriate ball to go after.

The Match Odds*

New Zealand – $1.16

Bangladesh – $5

*All odds courtesy of Bet365.

The Prediction

Maybe not quite as dominant as they were in Nelson, but we’re still expecting another New Zealand win. The lower wicket will play to Bangladesh’s hands, which will make it closer, but not close enough to be an upset. New Zealand by four wickets or 30 runs.

The Best Bets

Colin Munro has already proven to be a handful for the Bangladeshi bowlers and there are not many New Zealand grounds that can contain him. He’s paying $8 to top score and he doesn’t need many balls to achieve that.

Shakib’s at $5.50 to top score for the tourists. He was good for some money in game one where we backed him to score fifty. Shakib top scoring could be on the cards.

If you’re looking for lower odds but something closer to unbackable, try Tim Southee scoring less than 41.5. He doesn’t have a hope of scoring that and it’s paying $1.83.