Two more T20 World Cup Super 8 matches take place on Friday 21st June and our focus is on the clash between England and South Africa in St Lucia
In the early hours of Saturday morning USA (4/1) clash with West Indies (0.16/1) in Barbados but our focus is on the earlier match.
England v South Africa (St Lucia)
This is a Group 2 match and both these sides are looking to make it 2 wins from 2 in the Super 8's.
England put in their best display of the tournament so far to beat West Indies by 8 wickets on this ground on Tuesday. West Indies posted 180/4 with 4 England bowlers taking a wicket each and Rashid (1/21) was the most economical. Phil Salt took control of the chase and went on to finish unbeaten on 87 off 47 balls and Bairstow was 48 not out when the target was reached in 17.3 overs.
England had ground to make up in order to come through their group as distant runners up to Australia. They won 2, lost 1 and had 1 game washed out and they edged out Scotland on net run rate with Namibia and Oman also failing to make it.
South Africa's first Super 8 match came against USA in Antigua and they won it by 18 runs. Batting first the Proteas posted 194/4 with de Kock top scoring with 74 and Markram made 46. Klaasen (36) and Stubbs (20) then took South Africa to by far their highest total of the tournament so far. USA made a solid start to the run chase but Rabada with figures of 3/18 helped restrict them to 176/6.
The Proteas first 3 pool matches were all staged in New York where scoring big was extremely difficult. They started with a 6 wicket win over Sri Lanka and then recovered from 12/4 to chase down the Netherlands total of 103 for a 4 wicket win. Next up a 4 run victory over Bangladesh clinched a Super 8 place although it was mighty close with Bangladesh having a man caught on the boundary in the final over. South Africa moved on to St. Vincent for their final pool match but despite being overwhelming favourites they could manage only 115/7 against Nepal who came up just 1 run short in the chase.
The Betting
At the time of writing England are 41/10 to win the tournament and South Africa are 64/10 with BoyleSports
England are trading at 13/20 to win this game and South Africa are 12/10 with BoyleSports
Sportingbet price boosts include Nortje to take 2+ wickets at 1.62/1 from 1.15/1 and Markram to make a 50 is 9/2 from 11/4
Prices subject to change
The Verdict
The Proteas will need to put in an excellent display to maintain their unbeaten record in what is their toughest test so far.
England seem to be gaining momentum and of batsmen on both sides Salt is easily the top run scorer. Throw in the England openers match winning knock against West Indies at this venue and his boosted price to score a 50 does make some appeal.
Rabada was excellent the other day and the back up comes in the shape of him to take 2 or more wickets.
Bet: Phil Salt to make a 50 was 2/1 now 3/1 with Sportingbet
Rabada total wickets, over 1.5 at 13/10 with Sportingbet
More tips are available on this dedicated T20 World Cup thread on our discussion forum
