Cricket World Cup Betting: South Africa v New Zealand

Match Previews / Andrew Hughes / 24 March 2011 /

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Imran Tahir, pictured with Hashim Amla, gives the Proteas a new dimension

"New Zealand may bat slightly deeper, but in every other department: fast-bowling, spin bowling and top order batting, they are outgunned."

South Africa have looked good so far, but they won't be taking five times World Cup semi-finalists New Zealand for granted in Friday's third quarter-final.

London Start Time: 08:30 GMT

Venue and Conditions
We know what to expect by now from the pitches at Mirpur: slow and low with some modest turn. Essentially, providing you can adjust to the lethargic nature of the surface, it should be a good batting track, though is likely to be at its best in the first innings. Thunderstorms are forecast and there could be a hint of humidity in the air.

Team News
South Africa are likely to make three changes with regulars A B De Villiers, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel all returning to action at the expense of Faf du Plessis, Llonwabo Tsotsobe and Wayne Parnell.

Daniel Vettori is hopeful of being fit and Brendon McCullum will play though he is suffering from a cartilage tear in his right knee. Daryl Tuffey should come in for the injured Hamish Bennett unless Kyle Mills has recovered from his quad strain.

Match Odds
A traditional, fast-bowling dominated South African attack might struggle to contain some of the big hitters at the top of the New Zealand batting order on this kind of pitch. But with their three spinner strategy, the Proteas are far more balanced in the bowling department than in previous years and are a bigger threat as a result. New Zealand may bat slightly deeper, but in every other department: fast-bowling, spin bowling and top order batting, they are outgunned. Though some might be tempted by the [3.55] on offer about a Black Cap win, the South Africans should have too much for them in Mirpur.

Top Batsman
For New Zealand, Jesse Ryder has yet to get going, Brendon McCullum will be inhibited by his injury so once again we should look to Ross Taylor to top score at around [5.0]

This kind of pitch is tailor-made for Hashim Amla who is at his best on slow low turners and he can be backed at [4.5]

Featured Market
Brendon McCullum is playing with the aid of anti-inflammatories and a knee brace and though he is brave enough to play through the pain, he can't be operating at full effectiveness so we should side with his opening partner by backing Martin Guptil in the 'Guptil v B McCullum' market at [1.9] or better.

Best Bet
Andrew Hughes says: Back Hashim Amla to top score for South Africa @ [4.5]

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