Couch Critic previews the first one day international between South Africa and England including best bets from @Olimp_SA
SOUTH AFRICA vs ENGLAND 1st ODI,
EDIT - Please note this game was originally scheduled to take place at Newlands on Friday but after a positive Covid test for a squad member the plan is play the game in Paarl on Sunday 6th December. We hope the preview below will still be of benefit.
Having been handed their arses on a platter by the visiting Poms, the Proteas will look to try and save face in the 50 over format with the first ODI
Setting the Scene
England made light work of chasing down 190 in the final T20I at this same venue on Tuesday and in so doing completed the whitewash over their hosts. Both teams will however see some changes to their line-ups for the slightly longer version of the game.
England will bring in Joe Root on the batting front whilst Chris Woakes and Chris Wood lead the bowling attack in this format. England lost their last ODI series (to the visiting Australia) but are of course the reigning Word Champions. The Proteas won’t have many changes to what we saw in the T20’s but they can’t get Miller and Phehlukwayo back quick enough. The loss of Rabada for the series is a costly one for the hosts.
How I see it Playing Out
There is little reason for optimism from the South Africans. They are currently in a period where they are looking to build a new squad and only Quinten de Kock and Faf du Plessis are automatic selections with the willow at present. On the bowling front there is some young talent but they have proven raw and inexperienced at this level. England should fancy their chances of putting another hiding on their opponents in this series.
Betolimp Best Bets
Top England Batsman – J Bairstow @ 4.00
Bairstow was the leading runscorer a few months ago against Australia. The red head showed some glimpses of what he can do in the 20 over stuff and he should relish being back at the top of the order against an inexperienced SA attack.
Top South Africa Bowler – L Ngidi @ 3.75
Ngidi isn’t always the most economical but he has wicket-taking ability. Some of the other bowlers will come into this match with less cricket under their belt so I’m expecting Lungi to have his craft in better shape than those around him. Nortje could prove his biggest opposition in this regard.
Top England Bowler – Adil Rashid @ 3.60
Rashid proved tough to get away in the T20’s but wasn’t able to pick up the wickets. I expect the leggy to have more strike ability with ten overs at his disposal against the SA batsmen who are notoriously uncomfortable against quality spin bowling.
Man of the Match – C Woakes @ 17.00
Woakes leads the English attack in this format. He was in decent wicket-taking form for the Poms in that series against Aus and I see him enjoying SA pitches as well. He should bat at no.7 and have a good chance of adding a couple of blows to add to his potential Man of the Match value.
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Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
Couch Critic
