The 1st T20 between Ireland and South Africa takes place in Malahide, Dublin, on Monday, the same venue that hosted the 3 ODI’s. We take a look at the game from a betting angle.
The sides drew the 3 match ODI Series 1-1 after the opener was declared a “no result” due to rain. Ireland then came out and beat South Africa by 43 runs in the 2nd ODI before the Proteas bounced back with a comfortable 70 run victory to level the series.
Both of these sides will have one eye on the T20 World Cup taking place later this year and South Africa will know they will have to hit the Tournament in good form as they share a group with England, Australia and the West Indies.
Ireland have played precious little T20 cricket of late and their last series was back in March 2020 against Afghanistan and it hasn’t been for lack of trying, but unfortunately a number of their series have been cancelled so they will want to make full use of this run out against South Africa.
South Africa are coming off a 3-2 away series win over the West Indies and the coach has admitted that the players are tired after such a long road trip during which time they have lived in a bio bubble.
These sides have never met each other in T20 action.
Teams:
Ireland: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Shane Getkate, William McClintock, Kevin O Brien, George Dockrell, Neil Rock,, Lorcan Tucker,, Simi Singh, Mark Adair, Craig Young, Joshua Little, Benjamin White, Barry McCarthy
South Africa: Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Sisanda Magala, Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams
1st T20 BETTING – Click here to bet
Ireland 9/2
South Africa 2/13
There is no doubt that Ireland will have their supporters at 9/2 after they took an ODI victory against South Africa, but for me the betting value lies in other markets.
Suggested Bet: Player to score the most 6’s, De Kock at 4/1
De Kock’s fine form continued in the 3rd ODI when he hammered a 120 at a strike rate of a 131, clearing the boundary five times. Interestingly that wasn’t enough to win the most 6’s bet on the day as fellow opener, Malan managed six 6's in his 177 not out.
De Kock’s recent T20 form has been excellent and I am happy to take him to clear the rope more times than anyone else in the game.
Suggested bet: Top away bowler, Nortje at 3/1
The Proteas have the Number 1 T20 bowler in the world in Shamsi, but his role is often more of containing runs than taking wickets and this means that teams tend to go after the other bowlers.
Nortje took some tap in some of the ODI’s and I fancy him to come back strong with a nice haul of wickets in this T20 opener.
There are plenty of other Betting Markets and don’t forget in-running betting as well for those who prefer to wait and see how things are played out before investing.
A quick word on the weather and the good news is it looks like we will get a full match in.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
