Couch Critic previews the third ODI between Ireland and South Africa and the T20 internationals between England and Pakistan and the West Indies v Australia including his best bets with @Olimp_SA
We are very much in the middle of cricket season it seems and there is plenty of international action to pick from. Here are some of my thoughts for the weekend ahead.
IRELAND vs SOUTH AFRICA 1ST ODI – Fri 16 Jul @ 11:45, Dublin
Their heads will be spinning, egos will be bruised and likely that their ears will still be ringing as well as the Proteas take to the field in Dublin having tripped over the Irish at the last time of asking. The mighty SA attack looked toothless and there for the taking whilst the soft underbelly of the SA middle order was found out in the absence of past stalwarts like Faf Duplessis and AB de Villiers.
One would expect a proud cricketing nation like South Africa to pitch up and set the record straight in style. Yet given the depth of the hole CSA finds itself in its hardly a given that the men from the Republic will be able to flex any muscle. Instead Boucher will recall De Kock and hope the rest show some balls. The trio of Ngidi, Nortje and Rabada need to muster up a performance worthy of their international reputation in the game.
Top SA Bowler: Lungi Ngidi @ 4.00
Man of the Match: Quinton de Kock @ 6.00
ENGLAND vs PAKISTAN 1st T20I – Fri 16 Jul @ 19:30, Nottingham
The young pups proved to have plenty of bite as they trounced the Pakis in the ODI’s. The visitors will look for an improved effort in the shortest format but England have opted to reward a few of their younger performers whilst also re-introducing some of their big guns. The likes of Buttler, Roy, Bairstow and Morgan will strengthen the batting whilst Mahmood will get the chance to continue his white ball masterclass into the T20’s.
I struggle to see Pakistan turn things around against an English side who always seem to have all their bases covered in white ball cricket. Look out for leggy Usman Qadir testing the home batsmen but ultimately conditions are likely to suit Mahmood and Willey running riot at Trent Bridge.
Top Pakistan Batsman: Mohammad Rizwan @ 3.75
Man of the Match: Saqib Mahmood @ 11.00
WEST INDIES vs AUSTRALIA 5th T20I – Sat 17 July @ 01:30, St Lucia
The Windies have well and truly wrapped up the series but the Aussies have Mitch Marsh to thank for at least avoiding the whitewash. They will look to end the T20 series on a high in this last encounter. The hosts will be happy to have put the disappointment of the SA series behind them and it’s been their bowling that has proved the difference this time around.
Marsh has far an away been the MVP for the men from Down Under and I hope he can finish with a bang. In my opinion wrist spinner, Walsh has been a major part of the difference between the West Indies we saw against South Africa versus the one we have at present. Walsh has picked up 11 wickets thus far at an average of 8 and economy of 6. Another performance like this and he should be in the running for a Man of the Match award. Simmons looks in good touch and I will stick with him to clear the boundary regularly.
Top Aus Bat: Mitch Marsh @ 4.33
Player to score most sixes: L Simmons @ 11.00
Man of the Match: H Walsh @ 26.00
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
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