Cricket punters are in for a treat on Saturday with 2 bumper ICC T20 World Cup games and we suggest a bet in each.
SOUTH AFRICA v SRI LANKA
This match takes place in Sharjah and South Africa will be looking to build on a convincing win over the West Indies last time out. They came into that game under pressure after losing their opener to Australia and after winning the toss and electing to field they restricted the West Indies to 143 for 8 off their 20 overs. There were excellent performers by the bowlers in particular Nortje whose 1 for 14 off 4 overs got him the Man of the Match Award.
The Proteas lost Temba Bavuma to an early run out but Hendricks and van der Dussen steadied the ship before van der Dussen and Markram saw them home. Markram top scored for the South Africans with 51 at nearly 2 runs a ball.
Sri Lanka won their opening game against Bangladesh, but they were then soundly beaten by Australia on Thursday. Australia won the toss and elected to field, restricting Sri Lanka to a respectable 154 for 6 in their 20 overs. There were contributions from a number of Sri Lankan batsmen and Perera and Asalanka top scored with 35 runs at comfortably more than a run a ball.
The Australians got off to a flier scoring at 10 an over until the first wicket went with the score on 70 in the 7th over. Most of the bowlers were given stick and the stand out performer was Hasaranga De Silva with 2 for 22 in his 4 overs.
These sides met in Sri Lanka in September with South Africa winning the series 3-0 and they haven't lost to Sri Lanka in their last five T20 matches.
BETTING – Click here to bet
South Africa 8/15
Sri Lanka 31/20
Suggested Bet: Top South African Batsman, Markram at 7/2
Markram has delivered the Top Bat returns in both of the Proteas fixtures to date and he is just looking so comfortable at the wicket, I am more than happy to have him on side again even though coming in at number 4 does put him at a disadvantage.
Additional Match Special: South Africa win with the most match 6’s at 15/10
South Africa have more boundary hitters in their side and although it is not guaranteed to arrive it is a nice way of bolstering a win bet on South Africa which would if we just backed it straight would be priced at 8/15.
AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
This match takes place in Dubai and features two teams with a 100% record up against each other.
Australia made heavy work of chasing down a low total against South Africa in their opener, but they were much more convincing against Sri Lanka where they chased down a 155 to win with 3 overs remaining and 7 wickets in hand. Adam Zampa was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 12 in his 4 overs and there were also strong contributions from Starc and Cummins both of which got 2 wickets each. David Warner and Aaron Finch got Australia off to a flier and Warner topped scored in the innings with 65 off 42 balls as Australia indicated they may be peaking at just the right time.
England were too good for the West Indies in their opening match winning by 6 wickets. They then lost the toss and were made to bowl by Bangladesh. Their bowlers did well though restricting the Bangladesh side to a 124 for 9 and while the wickets were fairly evenly spread Tymal Mills picked up 3 for 27 in his 4 overs and Chris Woakes went for only 3 runs an over in his 4 overs.
England made light work of the target winning with almost 6 overs to spare with Jason Roy scoring 61 at a strike rate of 160.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Australia 5/4
England 4/6
Suggested Bet: England win at 4/6
I am very impressed with this England side and I still think Australia are not quite playing to their potential. I will also get involved in the other markets, but for me a straight win bet here is the main call.
Suggested Bet: Most Match 6’s, England at 8/10
This is a competitive market as both sides have boundary hitters and in particular those that can clear the ropes. England have a number of batsmen that are firing though and I think 8/10 they win this bet is a good price.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
