With the series beautifully poised South Africa and India take to the field in the 3rd and final test match at Newlands on Tuesday and we take a look at the match from a betting angle.
India won the 1st Test at Centurion fairly comfortably eventually running out 113 run victors, but South Africa fought back hard at the Wanderers to win a thrilling test match by 7 wickets.
India had won the toss and elected to bat and they got off to a decent start with openers Rahul and Agarwal both getting amongst the runs, Rahul finishing with 50 and Agarwal with 26. That 50 from Rahul proved to be the top score though as they were bowled out for 202 with only Ashwin coming in down the order with a quick fire 46 offering further resistance. Rabada and Olivier picked up 3 wickets apiece, but Marco Jansen was the pick with 4 for 31 in his 17 overs.
South Africa then scored 229 all out for a 1st innings lead with Keegan Petersen top scoring with 62 and another fighting 50 from Bavuma, keeping his run of good form going. Shardul Thakur was the pick of the Indian bowlers with 7 for 61 in just under 18 overs.
India then reached 155 for 2 in their 2nd innings before they collapsed to 266 all out. There were decent contributions from a number of the batsmen including Rahane who top scored with 58 and the bowlers once again split the wickets between them for the South Africans with Ngidi, Jansen and Rabada getting 3 wickets apiece.
South Africa then knocked off the 240 runs required for victory with the loss of just 3 wickets, captain Elgar was the star with his unbeaten 96.
3rd TEST BETTING – Click here to bet
South Africa 18/10
Draw 15/4
India 11/10
Suggested Bet: Top Away Bowler, Umesh Yadav at 4/1
Siraj must be a doubtful starter after his ham string injury and the question is whether the Indians would then call on Sharma or Yadav. I think Yadav’s ability to move the ball both ways and to bowl at a nagging length will be perfect for this Newlands wicket and if he gets a start I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get amongst the South African batsmen.
Suggested Bet: Top South Africa Bowler, Jansen at 7/2
Jansen has really impressed me and I think that the left arm could prove quite a handful on the Newlands deck. This is certainly a wide open market although I must acknowledge that Rabada (playing his 50th test) is a worthy favourite, but a bit short for me at 5/2.
Suggested Bet: Highest Individual Score under 124.5 at 17/20
Newlands is a ground which tends to have more runs on it, but I am expecting the groundsman to prepare a lively deck to suit the home team and this has certainly been a series that has been dominated by the ball so far and we collected a nice bet on “No Centuries to be Scored” in the last Test, although Elgar certainly gave us some nervous moments in that 2nd innings.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
