South Africa vs West Indies – Bet on Kallis to star
Published:South Africa will have a massive point to prove as they go in search of a first World Cup victory and they should be able to get this dream off to the ideal start with a win in their Group B opener against the West Indies.
Match Odds
It is 1/3 in the Cricket World Cup betting that South Africa beat the West Indies and they come into the tournament in fine form with four successive one-day victories, including two triumphs over competition favourites India.
Furthermore, South Africa run out comfortable 5-0 winners in the last one-day series they played against the West Indies and have won 75 per cent of the career meetings between the pair.
The West Indies have not had the ideal preparation for the clash, suffering three defeats against Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, they will also have to do without the services of promising opening batsman Adrian Barath and wicket-keeper Carlton Baugh, who have both been ruled out of the tournament with hamstring injuries.
However, they may be buoyed by the return of Ramnaresh Sarwan and the West Indies’ betting odds are 5/2 to kick-off their Group B challenge in grand style with a victory.
Jacques Kallis runs
Jacques Kallis missed South Africa’s series with India because of injury, but showed no ill effects of this when making a useful 46 against Australia in his first game back.
Kallis should be expected to improve on this and should get some decent time in the middle as he is likely to bat in the important role of number three behind Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla.
It is 5/6 that Kallis scores a minimum of 29 runs against the West Indies, but it may be worth assuming that if he plays himself in to this score, he is likely to make a far greater contribution.
Kallis is 7/4 to register a 50, while he is likely to boost his score with boundaries rather than quick singles, which could make 2/3 a decent price that he hits a minimum of four fours.
A £25 stake on Kallis winning man of the match would return £225. New customers can sign up here for a free £25 bet.
