England v South Africa Betting Tips: Hosts off to the perfect start?
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They’re the tournament hosts and the tournamentfavourites. But can England get the six-week carnival of cricket underway witha bang against South Africa in the opening match of the World Cup at The Oval?
Eoin Morgan’smen warmed up for the tournament with a resounding 4-0 series win overPakistan. That was followed by a win and a loss against Afghanistan andAustralia in two pre-tournament prep games.
Now it’s downto business. Can Jos Buttler slog England to a win in the opener? Or willQuinton de Kock continue his fine form for the Proteas? We’ve previewed thematch in our England v South AfricaBetting Tips.
Match Odds
England arenumber one in the ICC ODI rankings for a reason. Their batting line-up boasts stabilityand destructive power in equal measure, while their bowlers offer a tantalisingmix of pace and spin.
On home soil that’s a combination to be feared. Don’t just take our word for it; they’ve won 15 of their last 16 completed ODIs in England. No wonder, then, they’re odds-on at 4/9 to get going with a win.
South Africa are no mugs, though. The Proteas are third in the world and won on their last visit to these shores in 2017. De Kock and Faf du Plessis are two serious hitters and are 7/4 to carry them to a win.
Batting Odds
We’re predicting no shortage of boundary bashing in the opener, with Buttler set to be front and centre. The right-hander can boast knocks of 110, 150 , 110 and 91 in the last 12 months alone.
He’s 11/2 to finish as England’s Top Runscorer and 1/2 to hit Over 0.5 Sixes. The likes of Joe Root and Eoin Morgan offer stability and consistency in the middle order. The pair are 6/5 and 6/4 for a half-century each.
Alternatively, Ben Stokes is a man slightly out of form. We go 5/6 about him hitting Under 29.5 Runs. For South Africa, De Kock has clubbed 50+ runs in five of his last six matches and is 6/5 to do so again.
Bowling Odds
If you’re to pinpoint a weakness in England’s play it’s probably their bowling line-up. Although offering consistency, it lacks a real star name. South Africa have no such problems with Imran Tahir and Kagiso Rabada.
Still, there’s plenty of promise for the hosts. Tom Curran has burst onto the scene in devastating fashion. His four-wicket haul in the 4th ODI against Pakistan last month makes him a tempting 7/2 shot for Top Wicket Taker.
Adil Rashid remains the favourite for England in that market at 3/1. Jofra Archer may need slightly more time to flourish at the top table and is 4/7 to collect Under 1.5 wickets against the Proteas.
No Dale Steyn through injury means the onus for South Africa will fall on Tahir. After taking at least two tickets in each of his last four ODIs, he’s 5/4 for Over 1.5 here and 3/1 to be SA’s Top Wicket Taker.
Match Info:
Where: TheOval, London.
When: 10:30am, Thursday 30th May 2019.
How towatch: Sky Sports Main Event/Sky SportsCricket.
Click here for the England v South Africa odds.
All Odds and Markets correct as ofdate of publication
