South Africa and New Zealand shared their two match T20 series and now the two sides are set to embark on a three match ODI series which begins on Wednesday afternoon.
There could be a little added spice to this series after New Zealand knocked South Africa out of the World Cup earlier in the year. South Africa felt it was their time to win and they were agonisingly beaten in Auckland.
The series takes in Centurion, Potchefstroom and finishes next week in Durban so it will see three very different grounds and wickets which will only add to the intrigue of how the series will pan out.
We know from that World Cup that these two are two of the best sides in the world in this format but New Zealand’s hierarchy have highlighted that their side have been playing a lot of cricket recently and they have rested a number of key men for the three matches.
Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, Tim Southee and Trent Boult were all omitted from the squad for this match and so the Kiwis are giving their youngsters a chance to make a name for themselves.
In fairness we’ve seen in recent times how much depth they’ve got with the ball and I think they will be competent in this series in that area but if they are to get anything from the three matches Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson are going to have to play out of their skins you would think.
South Africa begin this series as the 2/7 favourites and it isn’t hard to see why. They rested one or two of their stars in the T20 series but the likes of Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander are back in the squad for this series as is Imran Tahir so South Africa look a very strong unit and in the conditions expected that is a big thing.
I’m no 2/7 backer in limited overs cricket as it is too helter skelter for absolute security so I’m going to look to the correct score market for a bet in the series.
Given how light New Zealand look with the bat I think it is hard to see them winning the series and I’m not convinced I see them winning a game now they are up against South Africa’s first choice attack. I’m sure South Africa will want to beat New Zealand and beat them well after the World Cup semi-final and at 7/4 the 3-0 home win looks attractive enough to me.
The Top New Zealand Series Batsman market is an interesting one particularly as it looks like a two horse race between Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill although it should be said Grant Elliott was the Kiwi hero earlier in the year but he bats too low down for comfort in a three match series.
Of the main two you can make a case for either but with the responsibility of being captain I fancy Williamson to come through here. Williamson is all class in any conditions and being captain we know he’ll play the entire series whereas Guptill might be sat for the final game if the series is done. At 5/2 Williamson looks a good thing to me.
Back South Africa to win series 3-0 for a 3/10 stake at 2.75 with Stan James
Back K.Williamson Top New Zealand Series Batsman for a 2/10 stake at 3.50 with Bet365
