Couch Critic provides his betting tips for the first T20 International between South Africa and England which takes place in East London on Wednesday 12th February
SOUTH AFRICA vs ENGLAND 1st T20I - 12 Feb, East London @ 18:00
SETTING THE SCENE
The ODI Series was shared as the Poms fought back to win in Johannesburg on Sunday. There is little respite in the action as we move straight onto the shortest format. England have brought back Ben Stokes and Mark Wood which considerably strengthens the options available to them.
From the home perspective it is somewhat surprising to see ODI squad members Verreynne and Janneman Malan make way when they didn’t even get the opportunity to taste any action in the 50-over contest. In Malan’s case it is a particularly questionable exclusion since the shortest format is arguably what he is best suited to. Regardless of how exactly the selectors came to their final selections the Proteas still have some quality as well as young talent to call on. Dale Steyn and Dwaine Pretorius return to the set-up whilst Pite van Biljon and Sisande Magala get their first taste at the top level. One hopes that Van Biljon actually gets a start unlike what happened to Verreynne and Malan in the ODI’s.
LET’S TALK TACTICS
Buffalo Park is another one of those slower, lower tracks found on the Eastern Coast of South Africa. Everyone will be talking about the return to action of Steyn and Wood, but I’m expecting the in-form spinners on both sides to play an important role.
Despite Smuts, Miller and Van Biljon being competent boundary clearers England hold the edge in the fire power department with the likes of Roy, Morgan, Buttler, Stokes, Dawid Malan, etc. The hosts should be in with a shout but I reckon this English side just has a few too many jokers up their sleeve to be tripped up by the Proteas on Wednesday.
HOW I SEE IT PLAYING OUT
Get your funds down on the spinners I reckon. Apart from that Jason Roy has some experience of playing in South African after the Mzansi League and if he finds his range he could really tee off.
Joe Denly seems to thrive under the freedom offered to him by limited over cricket. It’s been a long tour for the Englishman but he should be well and truly use to the SA conditions by this stage and I will back him to perform.
Lastly, I backed him in this same market in the ODI, but JJ Smuts will be playing on a track he knows well. The pitch should suit his bowling, which has looked impressive, and before being run-out at the Wandered his batting form appeared to be sound. Whether he gets a go at the top of the order or not, Smuts could prove a lively runner in the MOTM market.
Best Bets with BETOLIMP:
Batsman to score most sixes – J Roy @ 10.00
Top England Bowler – A Rashid @ 5.00
Top England Batsman – J Denly @ 6.50
Top SA Bowler – T Shamsi @ 5.50
Man of the Match – JJ Smuts @ 19.00
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Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
Couch Critic
