The Proteas will be looking to put the recent One Day series defeat behind them when they take on Bangladesh in the 1st of 2 Tests in Durban on Thursday.
Bangladesh will go into this match with the confidence that their one day side did the business against South Africa winning the 3 match series 2-1 in what at times must have felt like home crowds with the local Bangladeshi community coming out in full support.
The big news for the Proteas is that a number of their key players are in IPL action and are missing the likes of Rabada, Ngidi, Jansen, Nortje, van der Dussen and Markram so the bowling attack is particularly hard hit.
South Africa have made a habit of losing the 1st Test in recent times and they went down to India in December of last year before coming back to win the series 2-1 and in New Zealand they were hammered in the opening Test before bouncing back to level it 1-1 in what was a 2 match series.
Bangladesh’s most recent Test Match action was also in New Zealand where they drew 1-1 having taken a series lead in the opener and South Africa and Bangladesh haven’t met in a Test Series since 2017 when the Proteas won a home series 2-0.
1st TEST BETTING – Click here to bet
South Africa 11/20
Draw 7/2
Bangladesh 9/2
SELECTIONS:
Double Chance, Bangladesh and the Draw at 31/20
I am battling to see the logic in the Proteas being such short priced favourites here given as mentioned above they are slow starters and are also missing a number of players. They face a Bangladeshi side that I think has been underrated by the bookmakers and for me the value is with the visitors at current odds.
I was tempted by the 9/2 Bangladesh to win the match, but I am taking a more conservative option as looking at the weather forecast there does seem to be some rain about in Durban over the coming days.
A 100 to be Scored in the Match, NO, at 11/4
A somewhat speculative play, but I am expecting the ball to dominate and with the players of both sides not having had Test Match action for some time they will have not been used to batting for long periods.
Top Home Bowler, Duanne Olivier at 28/10
Olivier should be dangerous in the Durban conditions and will spearhead the South African attack, with so many strike bowlers missing this looks a decent punt.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
