South Africa and Bangladesh don the coloured clothing and get the white balls in operation over the next couple of weeks beginning with an ODI series which starts on Sunday. The series is three matches long and gives Bangladesh a chance to show they are an improved side in the 50 over format of the game. It also gives South Africa a chance to build more confidence under Ottis Gibson.
Schedule
1st ODI: Oct 15 at Kimberley
2nd ODI: Oct 18 at Paarl
3rd ODI: Oct 22 at East London
South Africa
The Proteas head into this series with a little bit to prove themselves. Over the last 5-10 years they have been totally dominant in this format in bilateral series but never able to convert that into a global success. In recent times though they have looked slightly weaker. They were well beaten by England earlier in the year and never got going in the Champions Trophy.
There are a couple of reasons for that. Reliable bowlers such as Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Kyle Abbott haven’t been around for different reasons while their batting line up has been getting exposed and a lack of depth has been exploited. It will be interesting to see how those holes have been plugged in this series.
Bangladesh
We should not fall into the trap of thinking that Bangladesh are the finished article even in this format of the game but we can expect them to be competitive in any game they play and in any condition that they play in. They made it through to the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy which was a fantastic achievement in itself.
We shouldn’t be surprised at that in a way. I say that because they have a batting line up which can now score runs in any conditions which hasn’t always been the case but they also have enough skills in their bowling attack to take wickets. They still lack a little over the course of 50 overs in the field but when that comes they could be a real force.
Head to Head
This will be the fifth time these two nations have met in a bilateral series. South Africa won the first three without losing a single ODI but Bangladesh won the latest one 2-1. They are yet to win an ODI against South Africa in South Africa though so that represents the size of the challenge ahead of them although they might be getting their opponents at a good time.
[the_ad_group id=”3624″]
Betting
I’ve a feeling that this series might be a little more competitive than many expect it to be but whether that will be reflected in the series scoreline or just the patterns of play in each match I’m not sure. Either way there is little in the main series betting which lures me in price wise.
There is a player bet that I like though and that comes in the form of the top South Africa series batsman market where I like Quinton de Kock. I believe he’s one of the best opening batsmen in the world in this format and at the start of a pretty big summer I’m expecting him to make a bit of a statement. Amla and de Villiers are obvious dangers but de Kock is right up there with them and over these three matches he’s the one to beat in my eyes.
Tips
WON – Back Q.de Kock Top South Africa Series Batsman for a 2/10 stake at 3.75 with Bet365
Back him here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2017
