World Cup Betting: South Africa v West Indies

Match Previews / Ed Hawkins / 22 February 2011 /

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Morne Morkel (centre) is the dangerman

"If you reckon the Windies can put up a show – Dwayne Bravo has guaranteed a quarter-final spot – then the best option may be to follow them on the handicap"

The World Cup starts here with a match that will finally whet the appetite. Ed Hawkins previews the contest in Delhi on Thursday. Follow him on Twitter here

London start time: 14.30

Team news
South Africa begin a World Cup campaign once more like a singleton unlucky in love. They start every new relationship with hope but only end up getting hurt. Heartbreak is never far away.

Their batting, in terms of top order, is probably on a par with India. Hashim Amla is the top ODI runscorer in the world in recent times, AB De Villiers has an enviable record in Asia while Jacques Kallis is, well, Jacques Kallis.

They are weak at Nos 7 and 8 where spinners Johan Botha and Robin Peterson are likely to come in. They need a hitter down there and that could be where the first cracks start to show.

West Indies have suffered injury problems. Opener Adrian Barath and wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh have been replaced in the squad with Kirk Edwards and gloveman Devon Thomas. Kieron Pollard, who has had a side strain, is fit.

Venue and conditions
The Feroz Shah Kotla surface in Delhi has a reputation as being tricky to bat on but in ODIs since 2000 the first-innings average is a reasonably healthy 250. There is no toss bias overall, either with a 7-8 split in favour of the side batting first.

Match odds
South Africa have won their last 11 matches against West Indies so it would probably be fairer if they were shorter than [1.33]. West Indies are [3.90].

It is not hard to make a case for an upset. Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shiv Chanderpaul, Pollard and Dwayne Bravo are dynamite players. But one worries for the Windies in the field with a weak-looking pace attack.

If you reckon the Windies can put up a show - Dwayne Bravo has guaranteed a quarter-final spot - then the best option may be to follow them on the handicap.

Top batsman - South Africa
AB De Villiers has a fantastic record in Asia. He averages 64.7 - better than any of his teammates - and has scored 842 runs. AB is [5.00] for honours and [2.12] for a 50. Amla and Kallis are [3.75] for top-bat. Both are a little skinny. Graeme Smith is [4.00].

Top batsman - West Indies
Chanderpaul has an average of 46 in the last five years against South Africa and Gayle 48.8. We would probably side with Chanderpaul because Gayle can be very hit or miss. Chanderpaul is the bigger price at [4.30] while Gayle comes in at [3.30].

Featured market

Morne Morkel is West Indies' nightmare bowler in the last five years. In seven matches against him, they have lost an extraordinary 18 wickets. Given that record Morkel is worth following for top South Africa bowler.

Best bet: M Morkel top SA bowler at around [4.00]

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