England vs South Africa – 1st T20 Betting Preview

England and South Africa will both look to put their Champions Trophy disappointments behind them and prove they are better than they showed in that tournament when they meet in the first of three T20 internationals on Wednesday.

This first match comes from the Ageas Bowl with both sides having the chance to go one up with two to play in the quick fire series which lasts five days in total.

England

We saw what England have to offer in this format in the World T20 last year but since then they haven’t been great in it and it is interesting to see that they are using this series to blood some fresh faces. That said this might be the best time to do that because there isn’t another global T20 event for three years.

England no longer hide their tactic in this format. They look to get on the front foot with the bat and pummel sides into submission and then with the ball they will go in with variety and hope they are good enough to defend or restrict the opposition. More often than not it works but when it goes wrong it can do so spectacularly.

South Africa

The Proteas were really disappointing in the Champions Trophy and if they have anything about them they will have plenty of anger to get out of their system in these three matches. They too are not at full strength for the series which might be a good thing given the battle scars some of their side are carrying.

At their best South Africa could be one of the best sides there is in this format but all too often they lack a genuine batsmen in the middle order and their change bowlers can go around the park which is never a particularly enlightening combination. When they are at it though there are few equals for them.

Team News

England will be without Joe Root, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali for this series. Mason Crane and Liam Dawson look obvious replacements for Rashid and Ali while Sam Billings could come into the middle order.

South Africa will be without Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis for this series and there is no Kagiso Rabada either. Reeza Hendricks, JJ Smuts and Dane Paterson come into the reckoning.

Ageas Bowl

There have been four T20 internationals on this ground. England have played in the lot and have won twice and lost twice while South Africa play here for the first time in this format of the game. They have already lost an ODI that they should have won here on this tour.

This is the best batting wicket in the country in limited overs cricket and in that ODI both sides made over 300. In scorching conditions expect the runs to flow once again in this one.

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Betting

I like England in this first match. I think they are the better side and their depth with the bat and the ball makes them a tough nut to crack. South Africa are missing a lot of class in their own batting line up and this attack doesn’t look as threatening as it should without Rabada. England are making changes but the men coming in are the future which looks pretty bright. I expect the home side to draw first blood.

I don’t expect to see many sixes though. This is a huge ground and we saw that in the recent ODI here where there were only eight sixes despite 658 runs being scored. Apart from that Aaron Finch wonder knock a few years ago there haven’t been many sixes in T20 internationals here and there aren’t often many when Hampshire play here. That all leads me to think the 11.5 sixes line is just too high.

Mason Crane is going to debut for England in this match and I expect him to have a successful debut. He is a superstar waiting to be unleashed and I’m not sure South Africa will cope with him. They won’t have seen anything of him which won’t help their cause and on a scorching day you’ve got to think the wicket will be a little dry so I fancy the leg spinner to get some purchase here. South Africa will go after someone and it might well be him but they’ll soon find out that is the wrong move. Crane is a ridiculous price of 5/1 to be England’s top bowler. He should be much shorter.

Tips

WON – Back England to beat South Africa for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Betfair

Back them here:

WON – Back Under 11.5 sixes for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Paddy Power

Back it here:

Back M.Crane Top England Bowler for a 2/10 stake at 6.00 with Betfred

Back him here: