South Africa and the West Indies meet in the first of three T20’s at Centurion on Saturday and we take a look at the match from a betting angle.
SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa won the 3rd and final ODI by 4 wickets when they chased down 261 to win the game in Potchefstroom on Tuesday. They got the runs with over 20 overs remaining with Heinrich Klaasen scoring 119 at almost a 200 strike rate. South Africa will be led by Aiden Markram.
South Africa Squad:
Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Sisanda Magala, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs
The Proteas haven’t played in the T20 format since they failed to make the semi-final in last year’s T20 World Cup. Their last home T20 series was a 2-1 series loss to Pakistan back in 2001.
Place a multiple on all 4 South African URC teams this week, and if your bet loses by 1 leg, we will refund your stake in Free Bet vouchers
WEST INDIES
Rovman Powell captains the West Indies side with Kyle Mayers his Vice-Captain.
West Indies Squad:
Rovman Powell (c), Kyle Mayers (vc), Nicholas Pooran (wk), Johnston Charles (wk), Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Sheldon Cottrell, Shamarh Brooks, Brandon King, Obed McCoy, Odean Smith, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Yannic Cariah
It has been a long time since the West Indies have fired in the T20 format and they failed to even get out of the group stages at last year’s World Cup. West Indies played 15 T20 matches in 2022 winning only 5. They have only won 2 of their last 11 games.
South Africa are 1/5 to win the series with the West Indies on offer at 7/2 and you can get 13/10 about South Africa getting a 3-0 whitewash.
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1st T20 BETTING – Click here to bet
South Africa 4/11
West Indies 9/4
Although South Africa are worthy favourites here I certainly wouldn’t be taking them at 4/11 and in fact am tempted by the 9/4 about the West Indies as the betting fluctuates so quickly in the T20 format. There are plenty of other markets to consider though and I am going to get involved in a couple of those.
Suggested Bet: Aiden Markram, Total Runs Over 21.5 at 17/20
Markram has been in great form in franchise T20 cricket and he really does seem to have lifted his game. I am expecting the Captain to deliver a commanding performance in this opening T20.
Suggested Bet: South Africa Top Bowler, Anrich Nortje at 29/10
Nortje has been well rested and should be ready to come out firing in the T20’s. He is the type of bowler who always seems to get wickets and I am happy to have him at this price.
For some reason he doesn’t play I would probably go for Sisanda Magala also priced at 29/10.
Suggested Bet: Man of the Match, Aiden Markram at 9/1
At the risk of putting all of my eggs in one basket I am going to go for Markram again in this market. It is a speculative play and can go in with small stakes so won’t do a lot of damage should he fail with the bat. What I like about Markram in this market is that there is always the possibility of him coming on and taking a couple of wickets with his spin.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
