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Cricket World Cup Day 26 Recap

Posted on 2015-03-12 by Online Betting Pro

Not for the first time in this Cricket World Cup, AB de Villiers stole the show and guided his country to an easy win. De Villiers crossed 400 runs for the tournament in top scoring with 99 to see his side beat UAE by 146 runs.

South Africa’s win guaranteeing them a place in the quarterfinals – more than likely facing Sri Lanka in Sydney.

Day 26 Results

South Africa v UAE

UAE’s bizarre decision to bowl first ultimately came back to haunt them as they let South Africa amass 341 in their 50 overs. Admittedly, it wasn’t the 400 that South Africa had mangled against the West Indies and Ireland, but that was probably due to the slowness of the surface rather than any bowling feats.

They did account for Hashim Amla early. He was out in just the third over looking to force the ball of the back foot. They also cottoned on to the strategy that most teams should be using and kept liability Quintin de Kock in for 45 balls. He is so woefully out of form that leaving him out there is one of the only chances to keep South Africa under wraps. De Kock scratched around for 26 but his demise brought the arrival of de Villiers.

As he so often does, he started tamely. Scoring off most balls he faced and collecting the information on the pitch and the bowlers before exploding. He eventually fell one shy of a century, but had already added the requisite impetus to the innings, which was expertly finished by Farhaan Behardien. The UAE bowlers were their own worst enemies at times. Conceding no balls that turned into free hits, and failing to stick to a set length. The spell of Mohammad Tauqir was the glaring exception. The old fashioned off-spinner was super effective on a well suited wicket.

Rilee Rossouw and David Miller also chipped in with fast paced knocks. Setting a total hasn’t been an issue for South Africa in this World Cup or in the past few years of ODI cricket, chasing has, so there are still some question marks over their ability to cope with pressure despite de Villers believing they are still the best team in the tournament.

UAE’s batting effort was particularly sedate. One-sided associate chases often turn into survival and practice cricket rather than aggressive pursuits of unrealistic targets. That’s completely understandable on account of the experience that needs to be gained and filtered through World Cricket. It occurred here too, as Swapnil Patil and Shaiman Anwar batted plenty of time to see the UAE through to 195.

The United Arab Emirates side needs to find the form that saw them get close to beating Ireland and Zimbabwe if they are to compete with the West Indies in Napier on Sunday; South Africa on to the quarters.

South Africa 341 for 6 (De Villiers 99, Behardien 64*, Naveed 3-63) beat UAE 195 (Patil 57*, Anwar 39, Morkel 2-23) by 146 runs

Cricket World Cup: Day 21 Recap

Posted on 2015-03-08 by Online Betting Pro

Saturday’s cricketing action saw Betcirca come good on a number of bets. We successfully predicted runs for Brendon Taylor and Seam Williams despite Zimbabwe falling a few runs short against Ireland. In the other match, Pakistan caused a major shock by beating World Cup frontrunners South Africa.

Day 21 Results

1. Pakistan v South Africa

Pakistan’s bowlers delivered an unexpected win in their rain shortened World Cup match against South Africa overnight. The win sees Pakistan move to third in Pool B and level with South Africa and Ireland on 6 points.

It came courtesy of their bowlers. Seamers, Rahat Ali; Wahab Riaz; and Mohammed Irfan all took three wickets each in an excellent display of disciplined yet aggressive short pitched bowling. South Africa’s batsman were reckless with their wickets, and gifted nine catches out of the ten wickets to fall.

Batting first, Pakistan made it to 222, largely thanks to another half century by Misbah ul-Haq (56) and a mature first World Cup knock form reinstated keeper Sarfraz Ahmed (49). Useful contributions also came from Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi in difficult conditions of wind and rain. The total was unusually small for Eden Park but was more than Australia almost managed to defend against New Zealand a week earlier.

It proved to be enough. South Africa imploding to be all out for 202. A spate of rash strokes gave them little chance of handling the total. No one taking the requisite responsibility to see them through to their total or providing AB de Villers with support.

AB de Villiers commented after the match that “he had nothing good to say about his team”, but he probably had a few kind words for himself. He was the South African side’s only hope as he smashed his way to 77 off 58 balls – in the process enjoying the small square boundaries at Eden Park.

Certainly a boil-over, one that was terrific for Pool B. But not one that will affect the semi-finalists in our view.

Pakistan 222 (Misbah 56, Steyn 3-30) beat South Africa 202 (de Villiers 77, Rahat 3-40, Wahab 3-45, Irfan 3-52) by 29 runs (D/L method)

2. Zimbabwe v Ireland

The second Pool B match of the day featured too similar sides. Ireland and Zimbabwe are not within the top echelon of world cricket teams, but they have both handled themselves nicely in this World Cup. Competitive in most of their matches, just lacking a little bit of death bowling nous or luck to stop the huge totals against them.

Today’s game again featured huge totals. Ireland made 331 for 8 form their allotment. Ed Joyce and Andre Balbirnie were the mainstays of the innings – Joyce getting to a hundred, and Balbirnie narrowly missing out.

In response Zimbabwe looked on course for much of the game led by World Cup standouts Brendon Taylor and Sean Williams. Taylor had 121 from just 91 balls before he tried one lofted shot too many. However, with Sean Williams still going along nicely, Zimbabwe were a firm chance. If Sean Williams had batted the 50 overs they might have got home. Unfortunately, he was given out on 96, caught on the boundary by John Mooney in a moment of YouTube notoriety. The controversy surrounded whether Mooney had touched the boundary rope when completing the catch. Replays suggested some portion may have been touching the rope, but there was an additional complication from the shadow of the boot.

Who really knows? And at the end of the day the newspapers reported a 5 run win to Ireland.

Ireland 331 for 8 (Joyce 112, Balbirnie 97, Chatara 3-61) beat Zimbabwe 326 (Taylor 121, Williams 96, Cusack 4-32) by five runs

Cricket World Cup: Day 21 Preview

Posted on 2015-03-07 by Online Betting Pro

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.

Cricket World Cup: Day 17 Recap

Posted on 2015-03-03 by Online Betting Pro

South Africa have stormed back into World Cup contention by becoming the first side to record consecutive ODI totals in excess of 400. Their most recent effort, a dominant 411/4, set up a thumping win over Ireland; their second win of over 200 runs in this World Cup.

The win blew our predictions out of the water, but luckily Kyle Abbot’s four wickets helped us save face and returned a handy $5.50.

Read more about the one-sided Canberra encounter below.

Day 17 Results

South Africa v Ireland

An indication of South Africa’s remarkable betting strength is not evidenced by their back to back 400’s. Well it is, but it’s made even more incredible considering one of their openers has scored just 27 runs in 4 games. While Quintin de Kock struggles the others rally; five South Africans have scored hundreds at the World Cup; six players average over 60 and three of those average over 100; four are striking at a rate over 100.

The batting group were at it again against Ireland yesterday. Hundreds to Hashim Amla (dropped on 10 by Ed Joyce) and Faf du Plessis laid the perfect platform for ~~AB de Villiers~~ Rilee Rossouw and David Miller to exploit the final overs, which they did convincingly. 131 off the final ten was enough to get them past 400 and continue their miraculous net run rate turnaround since their defeat at the hands of India.

In response, Ireland couldn’t muster any of their traditional fighting qualities. At 48/5 the match was effectively over, however Ireland scraped their way to 210 thanks to contributions from Andrew Balbirnie and Kevin O’Brien. South Africa’s bowlers all enjoyed a useful stint at the bowling crease. Abbot was the chief wicket-taker with 4, and Dale Steyn (2-39) and Morne Morkel (3-34) both looked sharp.

South Africa have few concerns for the rest of the World Cup. They may consider sing Rilee Rossouw at the top of the order and drop de Kock, but otherwise they’ll be confident going forward, especially with Vernon Philander to return too.

For Ireland, their match against Zimbabwe now becomes crucial in terms of qualification for the knockout stages. They still have a decent chance of making the top 8 given the inconsistent form of both the West Indies and Pakistan.

They will need to move on quickly from this performance though. They were well off the pace throughout against a very good South African side.

South Africa 411 for 4 (Amla 159, du Plessis 109, Rossouw 61*) beat Ireland 210 (Balbirnie 58, Abbott 4-21) by 201 runs

Cricket World Cup: Day 17 Preview

Posted on 2015-03-02 by Online Betting Pro

After the whirlwind cricketing action that was the weekend, we needed a day to take stock. Just a day though, the Cricket World Cup returns with another Pool B blockbuster.

Read more for the best odds for today’s game:

The Three Big Questions

What has been the best individual batting performance of the World Cup?

There are three main contenders. Chris Gayle’s double hundred against Zimbabwe, Kumar Sangakkara’s graceful hundred against England, and AB de Villiers freakish effort against the West Indies. Choosing one, it has to be de Villiers. Having taken the time to assess conditions after scoring 19 from his first 18, AB then exploded with a range of shots rarely seen in international cricket. With scant disregard for the whereabouts of his stumps, or the deliveries themselves, de Villers unfurled a bewildering assault on the hapless Windies. He finished on 162* from just 66 balls. His last 67 runs come off just 16 balls.

What has been the best individual bowling performance of the World Cup?

Apart from James Anderson who is swinging it less than Dan Vettori, swing bowlers have enjoyed the conditions on offer in Australia and New Zealand. Late swing is proving incredibly effective against batsman paranoid about scoring rates. Thus, two quality swing bowling performances spring to mind as the best in the tournament. Tim Southee’s effort against England was tremendous – the third best figures in World Cup history. Mitchell Starc though was a bit better. His 6-28 against New Zealand at Eden Park was a one man comeback show. Quick, hostile and accurate, and far too good for New Zealand’s middle to lower order. Starc is one of the absolute best one day bowlers going around at the moment.

What has been the best game of the World Cup?

The associate matches have provided plenty of excitement for avid cricketing fans even if the quality is slightly poorer, and the players less known. The Scotland vs Afghanistan and Ireland v UAE encounters were both close affairs, but our favourite was the Trans-Tasman affair at Eden Park. The drama of the final stages of the Pool A encounter are unlikely to be seen again in this World Cup. Low scoring affairs featuring 19 wickets are always the most exciting.

Today’s Matchup

South Africa v Ireland, Manuka Oval, (Canberra – fine weather expected), starts 2:30pm local time

South Africa – $1.05

Ireland – $10.00

Sure, it’s predicted to be fine for the Pool B encounter between South Africa and Ireland in Canberra today, but we’ll give you a different forecast – it will rain. Rain runs. Ireland have already shown an appetite for big totals in this World Cup, and their opponents have AB de Villiers (oh, and Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and David Miller).

South Africa will be too strong for Ireland. The odds reflect that, but Ireland, as they do in every game they play will account for themselves well and get within 60 runs of their more fancied opposition.

Today’s Bet

If you want to double your money just get on de Villers To Score a 50 at $2.10. The only way he wouldn’t is if Ireland bat first and don’t post more than 200. Otherwise it’s a shoo in.

We also like Kyle Abbott to be Top Wicketaker at $5.50.

And Ed Joyce To Score a 50 at $3.50.

Odds from Betstar.

Cricket World Cup: Day 14 Recap

Posted on 2015-02-27 by Online Betting Pro

Followers of Betcirca were rewarded with only the third winning bet of the Cricket World Cup as AB de Villiers registered a half century against the West Indies overnight. He didn’t just score a half century mind you, he scored a hundred, and a hundred and fifty in all the same go as he powered to a miraculous 162* from just 66 balls.

Tag: South Africa