South Africa and Australia meet in the first of five ODIs in Centurion on Friday with both sides looking to get off to a fast start in what many observers expect to be a fiercely contested series over the next couple of weeks.
These two will be seeing a lot of each other this winter so these five matches offer a chance for each of them to stake a mental stranglehold on the other and historically neither have needed a second invitation for that.
South Africa
South Africa will hope that the fact they have already played a Test series this summer will have them up to speed and at it right from the start. They have also played an ODI against Ireland which they dominated and needed to dominate because they have to adjust to this series without AB de Villiers.
Despite his absence South Africa still look fairly strong with the bat heading into the series while it doesn’t matter which combination they put out they always look strong on paper with the ball so there is enough to think they will be competitive in this match.
Australia
The Australians have played plenty of one day cricket in recent times having been involved in the same tri-series as South Africa out in the Caribbean and then followed that up with a five match series in Sri Lanka. They have warmed up for this series with a match against Ireland too and they have won all of those series so they won’t be lacking in confidence.
This isn’t a first choice Australia side out in this series but that doesn’t mean to say they will be easy to beat. They are still close to full strength with the bat and any Australian side is dangerous when that is the case even if they are missing one or two bowlers.
Team News
Hashim Amla missed the match with Ireland but he is expected to return for this game. Temba Bavuma could have to make way despite his century in that match. Dale Steyn is also expected to come into the side but AB de Villiers is missing.
Australia are without Mitchell Starc who is out of the series with injury. James Faulkner isn’t here either so they will need to find some key roles in their bowling unit. Aaron Finch sat out the Ireland win and he could return.
SuperSport Park
There have been 48 ODIs on this ground with South Africa having an excellent record here. They have 22 wins and just 11 defeats with a no result. Australia like it here too. They have an 8-3 winning record with a no result from their 12 matches so both should be comfortable in the conditions.
The wicket here is generally good for batting and there is little in the game for the bowlers so that might just suit the Australians who look a good deal stronger with the bat. Each of the last four ODIs have had a first innings score in excess of 300 here.
Betting
As I said in the series preview I’m not going to get involved in the match betting too early on while we assess the strengths and weaknesses of these patched up sides but there is one bet I like to begin with in this match.
It comes in the most sixes market where 10/11 on Australia looks a big price when you take into account that AB de Villiers is nowhere to be seen and Hashim Amla is likely to be at the crease for a fair while.
I get that Australia’s bowling looks weaker on paper but you don’t see the likes of Scott Boland or John Hastings hit for six too often so while they’re not Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood etc they are still competent in their own right. Australia hit a fair way down and I fancy them for the most sixes here.
Tips
Back Australia Most 6s for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Titanbet
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