Venue: SuperSport Park, Centurion
Date: Friday, November 26
BetXchange Odds:
South Africa – 1/14
Netherlands 5/1
Form
South Africa have been inconsistent in ODI cricket in recent times and they lost 2-1 to Sri Lanka during September in Colombo and they were held to 1-1 draw by Ireland in Malahide after one match was rained out.
Netherlands have proved that they can put positive results together as they recently managed to pull off a 2-1 series win over Ireland in June in the only series they have played in the Super League.
This series is important for both teams as it is part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, which is the qualification process for the 2023 World Cup, and there are 30 points on offer.
In 2023, hosts India and seven best-placed teams will qualify automatically for the World Cup, with the remaining five teams in the Super League having to play in a 10-team qualifying tournament to fill the other two places in India.
South Africa
Spinner Keshav Maharaj will lead the squad of 16 in the absence of rested regular captain Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje.
Zubayr Hamza and Ryan Rickelton are due to make their ODI debuts during the series while the likes of Janneman Malan, Kyle Verreynne, Daryn Dupavillon and Sisanda Magala have been recalled.
They are joined by the experience of Tabraiz Shamsi, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller and Andile Phehlukwayo who were part of the squad that travelled to the ICC T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently.
Proteas will also be without fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi, who tested positive for Covid-19, and Lizaad Williams who has suffered an intercostal muscle strain injury and he is being monitored by medial team.
CSA said the Proteas medical team will keep in contact with Ngidi to ensure his physical and mental well-being and he has been replaced by Titans team-mate Junior Dala who has already joined the squad.
Netherlands
The Netherlands team has five South Africa-born players, including veteran left-arm spinning all-rounder Roelof van der Merwe, who played in 13 ODIs and 13 T20s for South Africa between 2009 and 2011.
Netherlands have players like Colin Ackermann, Stephan Myburgh and Brandon Glover, uncapped Clayton Floyd and mentor Ryan ten Doeschate who were born in South Africa in their touring squad.
South Africa should still be too strong for this Netherlands team that failed to win a match and were eliminated after the first round of the recent T20 World Cup that was hosted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Best Bets
Even though the Proteas are without several key batters and bowlers, they remain overwhelming favourites to win this match and start their bumper to bumper summer action on a positive note at SuperSport Park which will welcome 2,000 spectators.
