Live on Skysports 1: Fri 08.30: South Africa are just 2/5 (Ladbrokes) to beat New Zealand in the 3rd World Cup quarter final on Friday.
The price is low about the Proteas but somewhat justified, South Africa are looking in control of their game and display depth throughout the squad.
Amla and de Villiers are doing good things at the top end of the order, they are 7/2 and 4/1 respectively (Sportingbet) to grab the most runs but preference goes to Jacques Kallis, who batted so well against India and Bangladesh, he is 4/1 to get the most runs (888sport). Duminy and du Plessis add extra strength.
Dhaka is an interesting venue for both teams. The slower, spin friendly environment at Mirpur will suit Imran Tahir nicely and he is 7/2 (bet365) to take the most wickets, a decent bet, while his slow ball colleague Robin Peterson is 9/2 at Coral. There is a definite lean towards those two as the pacemen could be slightly nullified by the pitch.
Mirpur, Dhaka, is the ground that South Africa so ruthlessly crushed Bangladesh last week and also the ground where New Zealand lost 3 of 4 ODI’s last October to Bangladesh. Though the Kiwi’s maintain they are therefore used to the conditions in Dhaka and hold a good record over South Africa at World Cups, the 11/5 with YouWin.com for them to win is probably correct. Do not forget New Zealand have made 5 World Cup semi finals though.
With a depth of explosive hitters, NZ need to rack up runs on a pitch where 260 could be very competitive. Bren McCullum, Ryder, Styris, Taylor and even Vettori and Oram can all smash it about but a nod goes to Jacob Oram. The thinking is that he will probably get a bat, considering South Africa are the only team to bowl every opponent out so far at this tournament, and he can hit a mighty six when he wants to. Also, he smashed 132 in 2 matches last October here so go with him to top score for the Kiwis at a very nice 25/1 with Stan James.
Whilst the returning Vettori should be the main threat with the ball at 3/1 (Ladbrokes) backing up his batsmen, the South Africans can hold it together and move onto the semi’s confidently, though the 6/5 at Totesport about NZ hitting the most sixes is worth a punt.
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