Twenty20 World Cup Betting: England v South Africa

Twenty20 World Cup / Edward Hammond-Kenny / 06 May 2010 /

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Craig Kieswetter has been in good form for England at the top of the order

"The Proteas' all-round solidity makes them favourites ([1.8]), they will once again seek to go out and do the basics better than any other team, especially in their fielding which was spectacular against New Zealand."

An (almost) certain semi-final awaits the winner of this match where the Proteas will go off favourites

Venue and Conditions

The second game of the day at the Kensington Oval in Barbados sees Paul Collingwood's England take on Graeme Smith and his South Africa team, the victor will all but secure a semi-final spot. Being the late match the pitch will be slightly worn, so the team batting second may find it marginally harder to bat.

Team News

England won't tinker with a winning batting line up, though there will still be pressure from some quarters to bring in Lancashire paceman James Anderson in place of Ryan Sidebottom, who struggled once again in the last match against Pakistan.

South Africa will most likely stick with the same 11 who comfortably beat New Zealand.

Match Odds

Both of these teams can go out and play aggressively as they have the luxury of a second chance should they lose. The Proteas' all-round solidity makes them favourites ([1.8]), they will once again seek to go out and do the basics better than any other team, especially in their fielding which was spectacular against New Zealand. They will attempt to set up their innings for another onslaught from Albie Morkel, whose devastating late hitting swung a balanced game decisively South Africa's way against the Kiwi's.

England ([2.18]) will look to their newly emboldened top order of Michael Lumb and Craig Kieswetter to get them off to a quick start, while hoping Kevin Pietersen can continue the excellent form that saw him hammer 73 against Pakistan. England's bowling is effective rather than dangerous but they will continue to bring the short pitched bowling seen in the last game and ask questions of the South African batsman's technique.

Top Batsman

England have a number of batters in form, with Lumb and Kieswetter being aggressive during the powerplays and Eion Morgan and Luke Wright hitting the long ball at the end of an innings. Towering imperiously above them is KP though, his swagger is back and his odds reflect this, he heads the market, available to back at [3.75].

Jacques Kallis ([3.75]) was his usual efficient self against the Kiwi's and is the favourite to top score for South Africa. Smith still looks slightly out of touch but Herschelle Gibbs and AB de Villiers ([6.0]) both look in good form and are worth considering.

Featured Market

England's opening pair has more aggressive intent than South Africa's, backing England in the Highest 6 Over Total market may be the best place to exploit that differential.

Trivia

England are the only established cricket nation never to have made it past the Super 8 stage of a T20 World Cup.

Best Bet

Ed Hammond-Kenny says: Back England on the Highest 6 Over Total market at [1.9] or better.

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