CRICKET BETTING: Live On Sky Sports 1: Mon 14.30 & 18.30 Struggling Pakistan face South Africa and England take on New Zealand in the Super 8’s. Compare odds and bet at the best prices.
Pakistan v South Africa
For a chance to progress to the semi’s, both sides need a win, coupled with an England win. That should spice up a tie between two sides who have lacked a fire throughout the tournament.
Pakistan are 6/4 with Bet365 to win their first game of Group E after being outclassed by England and coming achingly close with New Zealand. Only Salman Butt has performed with the bat and the 10/3 about him to top score for Pakistan (Paddy Power) is the only realistic bet. St Lucia is a strip that responds to spin, much to Pakistan’s relief, and Rehman had a handy return to Twenty20 cricket against New Zealand. Conditions may suit him and he is 9/2 with 888sport to be top Pakistan wicket taker.
South Africa, 8/13 with Boylesports, will want correct their ways after a resounding defeat to England. They have a bit more batting depth than Pakistan; Kallis, de Villiers and Smith are all providing runs, even Duminy and Morkel are chipping in. Smith is 3/1 with Totesport to top score for the South Africans while the fearsome Morkel can be top wicket taker at 3/1 (Blue Square)
South Africa can return to winning ways today and hope to progress to the semis.
England v New Zealand:
After a rain hampered start to the competition, England have become one of the better teams in the West Indies. New Zealand, as ever, punch above their weight.
England are 4/5 with William Hill for this clash. Pietersen has gone back to England to be with his new born child, something that can only be good news for the Kiwis. The spotlight will move to fellow South African born Craig Kieswetter, who has begun to look quite solid with the bat. Ravi Bopara will come in for Pietersen and has a reputation for fireworks in Twenty20 but perhaps his rustiness will play against him. Kieswetter can top score for England at 15/4 with Boylesports. The pitch may suit Swann who has had a good tournament so far, he is 11/4 with 888sport for top wicket taker.
The New Zealand side, 6/5 with Victor Chandler, is blessed with aggressive, powerful players. Only Guptill and, surprisingly, Taylor are failing to notch at a fast rate. Not that any batsman has even reached 100 aggregate runs yet but there is a steadiness to them and a nasty kick in the tail in the form of Nathan McCullum and Dan Vettori. The openers may struggle to adapt here but the tail end can provide both runs and wickets. Vettori is 16/1 with Betfred to top score for NZ and N McCullum is 4/1 with Blue Square to be top wicket taker.
One thing for sure is that at some stage in the NZ innings, boundaries will flow freely. They have a real knack to suddenly turn 50-5 into 115-6 in 6 overs and England will have to be really keen to constantly keep the pressure on. With Pietersen at home and Collingwood’s apparent lack of form, Kieswetter and Morgan will need to provide. If NZ can skittle one of these quickly, England’s total will likely be grim. NZ can cause an upset and win this.
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