Cricket: South Africa vs England
1st One Day International
Newlands, Cape Town: – 4th February 2020
BetXChange Odds:
Match Winner:
World One Day champions England will be hoping to build on their recent success in the test arena as they take on South Africa in a 3 match One Day series. England emerged 3-1 winners from the recent test series between the teams but with vast changes in personnel for both sides, it promises to be a very even series.
Team Previews
South Africa
South Africa look to be going through a period of change with Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn and AB De Villiers three of the many big names to have moved away from the international fold in recent times. Faf de Plessis has stepped down from the ODI captaincy role meaning Quinton de Kock will be leading the troops here. The Proteas batting department looks decidedly inexperienced and they will be looking to the likes of Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma to pick up the mantle in terms of run scoring. Kagiso Rabada will be a huge miss for the South Africans in the bowling department and Andile Phehlukwayo and Lungi Ngidi will need to step up in his absence.
England
England are the current 50 over champions and they will be hoping to demonstrate the full depth of their squad in this series. Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer are just three of the big names absent from this England squad but they still have plenty of quality operators at their disposal. Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy make up one of the most formidable opening partnerships in world cricket and they are backed up by Joe Root and Eoin Morgan. In terms of bowling options, Sam & Tom Curran continue to impress in all formats of the game whilst Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali and Matthew Parkinson provide incredible spin options, should the pitch at Newlands suit.
Match Betting Tips
Highest Opening Partnership – England – 0.80
Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy have both been in blistering form in England’s warm up matches and when they bat together and get going, they are very difficult to stop.
A Hundred To Be Scored In The Match – 0.70
Both sides possess plenty of fire power in the batting department and despite Newlands notoriously favouring spinners, if batsmen get in and apply themselves, there are runs to be had.
England Top Batsman in the match: Jason Roy – 3.30
Explosive opener Jason Roy has taken some time away from the game following his difficult red ball summer, but he continues to impress in limited overs cricket and he will come back fit and firing here.
England Top Bowler in the match: Adil Rashid – 3.30
Few bowlers in world cricket possess the knack of taking wickets that Adil Rashid has and the Yorkshire spinner will relish the conditions at Newlands.
South Africa Top Batsmen in the match: Rassie van der Dussen – 4.00
Rassie van der Dussen took to test cricket with ease during the recent series with England and if he can replicate that form here, he could be in for a big score.
South Africa Top Bowler in the match: Lungi Ngidi – 3.00
With pace to burn, Lungi Ngidi has all the attributes a successful fast bowler should have, and he will be looking to step up and lead the attack in the absence of Kagiso Rabada.
Match Prediction
South Africa possess plenty of fire power within their ranks and should trouble England but Eoin Morgan’s side are the top ranked ODI team in the world and they should get off to a winning start here.
