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England v South Africa: Three Lions bid to salvage series

| 12.09.2012

England’s hopes of finally scoring a series win over the South Africans were dashed by the rain at Old Trafford last time out. They must now win the final game to avoid another series defeat.

The reigning t20 world champions are 11/10 to beat the world’s number one ranked team at Edgbaston but, with Hashim Amla proving his ability in the game’s shortest form last time out, England have a big job on their hands to level the score.

Amla crashed 47 runs off 30 balls in Manchester, swinging the bat like a t20 master and letting England bowlers know they can’t hide from him in this format either, after a summer of battery in Test and 50-over cricket.

Ladbrokes have set his run line at 25.5 and, the way he’s been hitting the ball of late, a price of 5/6 for him to do it is as good as money in the bank.

The Proteas have a great record in their t20 encounters with England, winning four of the six completed matches played. This justifies their 8/11 favouritism ahead of this series finale.

England, however, should still be confident of victory despite the South Africans dominance this summer as, heading into this series, they had won six of their last eight t20s.

The top of the order has been an area where England have shown strength in recent games. The Three Lions’ opening pair are 5/6 to better the effort managed by the South Africans and have been granted a generous +3.5 handicap too.

When comparing the sides’ last five games, England’s openers have outscored their South African counterparts on four occasions. With this in mind, the hosts look appealing to do the same again here, especially with a handicap weighted in their favour.

All odds and markets correct as of publication

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Author

James Middleton