The World Cup enters it’s last weekend of regular play and Saturday sees two teams on their way out the door face opponents who are very much already looking ahead at fine-tuning their game for the most crucial week of the year that awaits them.
India vs Sri Lanka(Saturday @ 11:30) – Leeds
SETTING THE SCENE
This one is a dead-rubber in the sense that India are already sure of their place in the semi-finals whilst Sri Lanka will arrive in Manchester with their bags packed and their flight tickets in their back pocket – the road ends here at Old Trafford for them.
The might be sitting pretty in second place and with a realistic chance of ending the regular play in the number one spot but it hasn’t been all plain sailing for the Indians thus far. In their last outing they needed to rely on the brilliance of Bumrah to get them over the line against Bangladesh when things started to look a bit too close for comfort near the end. Before this there was a loss to England and of course a stuttering showing against Afghanistan. This is anything but a dead-rubber for Virat Kohli and his chargers – India need a good confidence building win in Leeds before moving onto the knockouts.
After being on the wrong end of a ten-wicket whipping at the hands of New Zealand in their opener many might have been thinking the Sri Lankans were saved some blushes with a few rained out games. They were however able to topple the mighty English and beat the Windies in their last outing.
LET’S TALK TACTICS
India have the leading runscorer in their ranks but behind Rohit and Kohli there has been very little to write home about. The middle and lower order have squandered a number of strong starts and it is strange to find an Indian team at this late stage in the competition still not quite sure of their best line-up. It’s unlikely that Rohit will fail but if he does others need to show they are capable of doing the job and the lower order need to put in a strong finish if given the chance.
Young Fernando led the charge for Sri Lanka against the Windies and they will hope one of the top order can again make a considerable contribution here. With the ball the islanders have struggled to find any assistance for the stalwart, Malinga.
Headingly has witnessed two low scoring thrillers as Pakistan almost came unstuck against Afghanistan here whilst the ground also has fond memories for the Sri Lankans as they were able to defend 232 against England at this venue. Expect the winner of the toss to have a bat, start conservatively and wait till late on before looking to launch.
HOW I SEE IT PLAYING OUT
They might still finish in pole position, but I reckon India are in desperate need of a confidence building, dominant display – and they should get it here. It would actually be to their advantage of the top 2 or three don’t make many and the rest can get some time out in the middle but I see Rohit and Kohli again setting their stall and making plenty.
In his last appearance at a World Cup I will have a sentimental play on Angelo Matthews as top Sri Lanka batsman. For India it’s a case of picking between Rohit and Virat… With the ball Bumrah seems to be hitting his straps at the right time. Malinga has been in superb form and as with Matthews it would be nice to see the legend finish strong.
Bets with BETOLIMP:
Top Sri Lanka Batsman – Angelo Matthews @ 6.00
Top Sri Lanka Bowler – LasithMalinga @ 4.00
Top India Bowler – Bumrah@ 3.75
Man of the Match – Rohit Sharma @ 10.00
Australia vs South Africa (Saturday@ 14:30) – Manchester
SETTING THE SCENE
Fortunes could hardly differ more for these two teams. Australia have lost only one game and find themselves on top of the pile before this last round of matches. South Africa in turn could be facing their sixth defeat of the tournament should they fall over this last hurdle as well.
Australia made two changes to their initial first-choice outfit and both have worked wonders thus far. Lyon has been a much steadier spin option than Zampa and Behrendorff has been a revelation with the new ball. The Aussies would love to see Glen Maxwell hit some form before they get to the semi-finals.
It’s hard finding any aspect of the SA game that’s working at present. Against Sri Lanka Pretorius came in and did a great job but, in the past, he has struggled to put two good performances together in a row. Amla also finally showed a touch of form but the top order will find it much tougher against an attack with potent new-ball bowlers.
Old Trafford was the scene of the Eoin Morgan massacre but after this extravaganza runs have dried up considerably.
LET’S TALK TACTICS
South Africa will need to find a way of knocking over the dangerous opening pair. Australia base a big part of their game around Finch and Warner who are both in the top five scorers of the tournament. With the bat the Proteas will be desperate for a positive innings from De Kock to get the rest of the batsmen entering the fray on a positive note rather than under pressure.
The Aussie quicks will be looking to get into the Protea middle order as soon as possible. With the bat Smith and later Maxwell and Carey might fancy the look of Phehlukwayo and Pretorius to boost their score.
HOW I SEE IT PLAYING OUT
One of the few weaknesses in the Aussie armour is having Khawaja at three ahead of Smith. I still think the ex-skipper could have a valuable part to play if SA are able to knock the dangerous openers over early. For the ProteasRassie van der Das has been one of the few players who leaves the English shores with an enhanced reputation. Starc and Cummins are dangerous customers but Behrendorff has impressed me immensely. Imran Tahir will be keen to finish on a high note in the green and gold.
Bets with BETOLIMP:
Top SA Batsman – Rassie van der Dussen @ 6.50
Top SA Bowler – Imran Tahir @ 4.00
Top Aus Bowler – Jason Behrendorff @ 4.50
Man of the Match – Steve Smith @ 13.00
(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)
Enjoy the cricket and happy punting!
