South Africa v West Indies Second ODI Tips: Windies worthy of support

• South Africa short favs at 1.292/7

• Rassie value at 7/2

• Brooks a bet at 5s

South Africa v West Indies
Saturday 18 March, :00
TV: Live on BT Sports

Team news

South Africa's plans to have two ODI to have a look at fringe players looks to have backfired after the washout in East London. It remains to be seen whether they delay bringing back Wayne Parnell, Heinrich Klaasen and Aiden Markram as planned for game three.

South Africa have a decent front three with the bat but they are testing middle-order options with Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickleton trying to force their way into regular slots. There's no Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Keshav Maharaj or Tabraiz Shamsi.

Possible XI: De Kock, Bavuma, van der Dussen, de Zorzi, Stubbs, Rickleton Mulder, Phehlukwayo, Fortuin, Williams, Ngidi

West Indies have not included Alzarri Joseph in their squad, robbing them of their best wicket-taker in the last 12 months. Instead Shannon Gabriel makes a return.

Odean Smith may pip Yanic Cariah for a bowling spot considering conditions have been wet. Akeal Hosein could be the single spinner.

Possible XI: Hope, Mayers, Brooks, King, Powell, Pooran, Shepherd, Smith, Holder, Akeal, Gabriel

Pitch Report

The good news is that the weather forecast for Buffalo Park is decent. Optimism for a runfest is tempered, though, by the heavy rain preceeding the contest. There have been whopping runs in the past.

South Africa made a record for the ground of 369 against Bangladesh in 2017. That was the last ODI played there.

In three domestic 50-over matches this season there have been scores of 276, 297 and 217. We suggest a wait-and-see approach before playing runs markets.

How to play

Before game one we were keen on West Indies and, unsurprisngly, that view hasn't changed. This is a reserve South Africa team ill-deserving of such a short price at 1.292/7.

West Indies are no great shakes but they have been competitive in recent series against New Zealand and India. They also bat impressively deep so should battle to the last. They are a worthy risk at 4.3100/30.

If you disagree, then Sportsbook's 3/1 that South Africa win and both teams score 275 might be the bet for you.

Tops value

Rassie van der Dussen was a solid top-bat wager before game one and he remains the same. With five wins in his last 20 and his usual 'rivals' for honours missing the 7/2 with Sportsbook is decent.

For West Indies, we swerve Shai Hope at 3/1 and go instead with Shamrah Brooks. Brooks has the better win rate (three in 15) so 5/1 appeals.