The first one-day international against South Africa did not go well for Sri Lanka. They were dismantled for 181 and then lost with more than 15 overs to spare. The pair meet again on Wednesday and there is the only team in it according to the odds.
South Africa are 1.12 (BetVictor) to make it 2-0 and Sri Lanka are 7 (Bet365). We are quite happy with the situation as this column is with a 4-1 home success.
However, the Lankans are going to have to win somewhere. Could it be game two which takes place under lights in Durban?
Nope. The toss bias is just not heavy enough at Kingsmead to take a punt. And a weak touring team desperately need some sort of outside assistance to reduce the gulf.
It is more likely the Lankans will be valued at Newlands in Cape Town where a batting second is tricky. And with that venue hosting game four, the series could already be won by South Africa who might rest star men.
Still, the top-bat market should offer some good betting opportunities. The odds are chunky so it is worth trying to pick a winner.
South Africa first up. It is true that most reckon the majority of runs in ODI are scored by the top order. It makes sense. They get to bat with the fielding restrictions at the beginning and they can bat for the longest number of overs possible.
We don’t necessarily subscribe to always putting our faith in openers but here it is hard not to. Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla are two classy individuals who are raring to get stuck into a sub-standard attack.
Both men have terrific records at Kingsmead in the last five years. De Kock averages 88 in his two innings with one ton and one fifty. Amla has a mark of 51 with one ton and one fifty from five. It is also one of his favourite grounds for run scoring.
De Kock is 3.75 (with green listed bookmakers such as Bet365, Betfred, Stan James, Coral, and Ladbrokes). Amla is 4 (Skybet, Stan James, Hills). If we had to choose between the two we’d pick Amla, largely because of the price but his ground form is weightier in all formats.
AB De Villiers, who is 5 (Ladbrokes), will bat at No 4. Faf Du Plessis, at No 3, is 6 (Coral).
For Sri Lanka, the price that appeals is the 8 (Stan James) about Upul Tharanga, the captain. A few years ago we thought Tharanga was the new Sanath Jayasuriya. But he never fulfilled the promise and his ascension by default to lead here is a bit of a surprise.
But he’s handy batting in the middle order and there is a difference of opinion in the market. William Hill and Betway have him as short as 5.5.
One final call is the top South Africa bowler. We don’t normally like a jolly but the 3.75 (Bet365) that Imran Tahir comes out on top. He has seven wickets in his last three day-night matches at Durban. Given he was a destroyer in game one, he should do well again.
Calculators
