Twenty20 World Cup / Jaymes Monte / 10 June 2009 /

There's no room for slip-ups in the Super 8s stage as mistakes are likely to see you crash out. All of which means Bopara, Wright and Pietersen will have to fire for England if they are to stand any sort of chance against tournament favourites South Africa, says Jaymes Monte.

England v South Africa

Team News

The main focus surrounding the England team will be the fitness of Kevin Pietersen, but pain killing injections are expected to get him through the remainder of the tournament and the forthcoming Ashes series. The selectors must also decide whether to stick with the team that impressively took out Pakistan or heed the calls of Twenty20 specialists Graham Napier and Eoin Morgan.

South Africa have made a point of keeping a settled side and their focus has been on building partnerships throughout the team. There doesn't appear to be any reason to change their tried, tested and successful formula ahead of the Super 8's meaning we should see an unchanged side.

Conditions

The weather is expected to remain bright throughout the afternoon and clear into the evening. This is the fourth scheduled fixture in two days to be played on the pitch, meaning the wicket may become a little tired. However, Wednesday's fixtures are expected to be affected by rain so keep an eye out on how much cricket gets played.

Match Odds

England can be backed here at around the [2.5] mark, but I wouldn't be too keen on getting stuck in at that price. There is too much onus on the top three batsmen to score the runs for my liking. If the South African bowlers can knock off the in-form openers Luke Wright and Ravi Bopara cheaply, followed by Kevin Pietersen, there won't be much left for England fans to get excited about.

On the other hand, South Africa's batting is deeper than the Grand Canyon. I t would be no surprise to see any of their top eight batsmen put on a match winning 40 to 50 runs, as they have regularly done in the past. Their strength and depth means the [1.65] available on the Proteas has to be the play here.

Top Batsman

Luke Wright has been given licence to thrill at the top of the order, and it has been to good effect throughout the tournament thus far. However, he has yet to come up against an opening bowling attack of the calibre of Dale Steyn and Wayne Parnell and for that reason I'd stay clear of him here. Ravi Bopara is in the form of his life and can be backed at [4.5].

Kallis has made the previously vacant opening slot alongside Graeme Smith his own so far this tournament and has looked progressively more comfortable as the games go by. He can be backed at [4.5] and looks like good value to oblige.

Featured Market

England need to restrict the South Africans with the bat if they are to stand any chance of victory here and with a strong bowling attack likely, they'll be fully focused on doing so. Couple this with England's lack of depth in the batting department, and a play on Under 340.5 at anything above [1.8] match runs looks shrewd.

Recommended bet: Back Jaques Kallis @ [4.5] to be top South African Batsman

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: