The semis are approaching and whilst the tournament can’t end fast enough for Protea fans the race for playoff spots is still very much on for a number of teams. After this weekend we will be a lot closer to having an idea who could possibly be lifting the trophy. Here are the two big games to look forward to over the weekend.
Australia vs New Zealand(Saturday @ 14:30) – London
SETTING THE SCENE
Both teams should already be safe (the Aussies certainly so) but one of these teams will suffer their second loss of the campaign.
Australia seem to have found their best-balanced team and are looking tough to beat at present whilst New Zealand had their first taste of defeat against Pakistan in their last outing.
Pakistan experienced little trouble in coping with South Africa’s quicks at the Oval last time out and unless overhead conditions are very murky the quick men shouldn’t be getting too much assistance here. With Lords being saved for this later stage of the tournament the fresh wickets mean spinners won’t be turning the ball square just yet. The batsmen should find conditions to their liking.
LET’S TALK TACTICS
Barring Khawaja they have Finch, Warner and Smith all in good touch at the top of the order. Lower down Maxwell surely has to find his range sooner rather than later and I’ve been impressed by Carey as well. The Kiwis will find it tough finding many chinks in this formidable line-up. On the bowling front the teams need to try and attack the fifth bowling option of Stoinis and Maxwell whilst the Lyon-option is also still a new one; still fighting for his place in the starting team the off spinner could be put under pressure.
New Zealand desperately need Guptill to come to the party at the top of the order and they need Taylor to also be at his best in supplying Williamson with much needed assistance in posting substantial totals. The Aussies will look to copy Pakistan in getting Kane to the wicket as soon as possible – and hopefully send him back just as quickly. On the bowling front the fifth option of Neesham and De Grandhomme will be targeted whilst the Kiwis are also not the best at the death.
HOW I SEE IT PLAYING OUT
The Aussies prove a daunting prospect at present and I don’t see the Kiwis keeping pace with them here. Surely Australia will see the folly of not having Smith at number three – I’m backing him to come in early and make plenty.Santner won’t get the same assistance he did at Edgbaston but on a batting track he could pitch in with a couple and that might just be good enough.
Bets with BETOLIMP:
Top AusBatsman – Steve Smith @ 4.50
Top NZ Bowler – Mitch Santner @ 6.50
Team Total Match Sixes – Australia over 4.5 @ 1.90
England vs India(Sunday @ 11:30) – Birmingham
SETTING THE SCENE
The pre-tournament favourites meet the current top fancies on the betting boards. India have experienced a few close shaves and moments that they would have been disappointed with but the fact of the matter is that they are the only undefeated team left in the tournament. England have found themselves in all sorts of strife as their batting hasn’t quite fired as promised since they lost Jason Roy and their bowling apart from Jofra Archer has lacked penetration.
England are dangerously poised in fourth spot and desperately need a victory to try and get themselves closer to the safe zone of the top four.
LET’S TALK TACTICS
Before the tournament my main concern with this English side was their lack of wicket taking options with the ball. Leading up to the World Cup their batsmen often got them out of sticky situations but now, without Roy giving them a fast start, the batting hasn’t been able to deliver as they did previously. India will try and strike early and then keep putting pressure (mostly through spin later in the innings) on the new batter coming in. Bowling wise the English have more questions than answers. Rashid should however start to enjoy conditions more from now on but India will hardly have too many concerns regarding this attack.
This is a well-balanced Indian side. They are missing Dhawan at the top somewhat as it has meant their middle order is a bit less stable – England will look to try and expose this. There is no doubt in my mind that the Indians have the best bowling attack around and the spin-twins should find plenty of assistance from this Edgbaston track.
HOW I SEE IT PLAYING OUT
This Edgbaston pitch is starting to dry out and take turn. Yadav started to look a lot more lethal against the Windies and I’ll back him to take a liking to this track. Root and Kohli are the class acts in their respective teams and its tough looking past them.
Bets with BETOLIMP:
To win the game – India @ 1.80
Top England Batsman – Joe Root @ 3.75
Top India Bowler – KuldeepYadav @ 5.00
(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)
Enjoy the cricket and happy punting!
