Tag: World Cup Cricket

Cricket: West Indies seek respite from rampant hosts

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The West Indies are battered, bruised and suffering an alright AB de Villiers inflicted cricketing hangover.  Conceding 439 is always bad, giving up another fastest ODI hundred (they were the opposing team when Corey Anderson set the previous best) is worse.  Both factors mean the West Indies need inspiration and need it fast if they are to compete in game two of the ODI series.

This sounds unusual for West Indies cricket, but given their current make-up, they will welcome the slower conditions at Port Elizabeth.  They might also be saved from another onslaught if the predicted rain eventuates.

The Last Time These Two Met

The match belonged to de Villiers.  de Villiers made an incredible 149 off just 44 balls; in the process breaking Corey Anderson’s record for the fastest ODI century of all time.  de Villiers bullied his way to nine 4’s and sixteen 6’s.  His innings went like this: 4,2,1,1,4,6,4,6,6,.,2,2,lb,1,6,6,6,4,6,1,4,1,1,.,4,4,.,6,4,6,6.  He helped his side amass 439, of which Hashim Amla and Rilee Rossouw also made hundreds.  Incredibly they butchered the chance of posting the highest team score ever in ODI cricket by scoring just 3 from the final over.  The West Indies made 291 – the best score of the series for them thus far – but never threatened the target.

The Teams

South Africa (likely): 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Rilee Rossouw, 3 Faf du Plessis 4 AB de Villiers (capt & wk), 5 JP Duminy, 6 Farhaan Behardien, 7 David Miller, 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Dale Steyn 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Imran Tahir

Wrap the series up first and tinker with the side afterwards.  South Africa will probably stick with the status quo before tinkering later in the series with the ranking points well and truly wrapped up.

West Indies (likely):  1. Chris Gayle, 2 Dwayne Smith, 3 Lendl Simmons/Leon Johnson, 4 Marlon Samuels, 5 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 6 Jonathan Carter, 7 Andre Russell, 8 Darren Sammy, 9 Jason Holder (capt), 10 Jerome Taylor/Sheldon Cottrell, 11 Sulieman Benn

We have previously suggested the West Indies should consider Lendl Simmons, now they have no choice.  While there bowling took plenty of punishment in game three, the batting still needs to be improved – especially at the top.  Jerome Taylor was one of those bowlers who got destroyed in Johannesburg so he might be due a rest and Sheldon Cottrell given a chance.

The Key Players

Farhaan Behardien – He may not be in line for a huge amount of cricket in the World Cup, but if called upon South African fans will want to be able to believe in him in crunch times.  Instances like game two don’t really help his cause, and while he’ll have a huge amount of pad rash, he won’t have much else to show for it.  He needs time in the middle and may play an important role in game three if he gets it.

Sulieman Benn – The lanky spinner was one of the first to tip his cap to de Villers after the outstanding knock, but in truth, he deserved some credit too.  Benn conceded just 49 from his ten overs (in amongst RPO’s such as 10 for Jason Holder and 17 for Dwayne Smith), to easily be the best West Indies bowler.  With his quicks going the distance, Benn will need to be at his wily best to stop the host’s batsman.

The Odds*

South Africa – $1.24

West Indies – $4.10

*Courtesy of Sportsbet Australia.

The Prediction

Wow the money on the West Indies is good.  But with a highest score of just 64 in the series from their batsman it’s hard to see them winning games, unless of course, Chris Gayle comes off.  That’s effectively what you’re doing if you bet on West Indies here. So you may as well go for the Chris Gayle to top score / West Indies win combo paying $11.00.

But, South Africa should win again.  Too strong in every aspect and taking their World Cup preparations seriously.

The Longshot 

Rilee Rossouw to double up and score 50 in game two – $3.33

Cricket: Guptill hopes to continue new found form in Nelson

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

It’s very uncommon if a New Zealand cricketing summer doesn’t get affected by rain at least once, so it should come as no surprise that after a series of perfect weather the one part of the country that was benefiting from one of its best summer’s should have a match washed out.

Both teams then will enjoy the change of scenery to one of New Zealand’s sunniest – Nelson.  Game four at Saxton Oval is an important one in the scope of the series.  While a drawn series is still a possibility after the washout, the winner of today’s game will take a giant stride in taking out the series.

Saxton has hosted only one previous ODI, so it’s difficult to predict how it will play.  One thing is clear though – both sides will welcome the sunshine.

The Last Time These Two Met

Eden Parks’ game two was washed out after only 28.5 overs of stop start play was possible.  In that time New Zealand had worked their way to 145/3 with Martin Guptill returning to form with an unbeaten 66.  Guptill’s runs, including four 4’s and three 6’s, were made after a sluggish start.  They were exactly what the doctor ordered for the New Zealand team that were becoming too reliant on captain Brendon McCullum.  If Guptill can continue his form, turn over the strike a bit more, it will ease the pressure on McCullum and should set up some big totals.  Tom Latham also pitched in with 42, and Angelo Matthews had all 3 wickets for Sri Lanka.

The Teams

New Zealand (likely):  1 Martin Guptill, 2 Brendon McCullum (capt), 3 Tom Latham/Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Grant Elliott, 6 Luke Ronchi (wk) , 7 Corey Anderson, 8 Nathan McCullum/ Daniel Vettori, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Mitchell McClenaghan, 11 Matt Henry/Trent Boult

Kane Williamson who is such a key part of the Black Caps World Cup plans is regaining fitness and may be included if feeling up to it on the day.  Grant Elliot is available, and the bowlers will likely continue their musical chairs.

Sri Lanka (likely):  1 Dimuth Karunaratne, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Angelo Mathews (capt), 6 Lahiru Thirimanne, 7 Thisara Perara, 8 Jeevan Mendis, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Sachithra Senanayake, 11 Suranga Lakmal/Rangana Herath

Sri Lanka have added leg-spinning allrounder Seekkuge Prasanna and quick Dushmantha Chameera as cover for Suranga Lakmal, and Rangana Herath is also under an injury cloud.  However, we expect the team to line up as above and Herath to be available.  His fielding is never important and his action so compete he should be okay to play with the slight niggle.

The Key Players

Tim Southee – In the series thus far New Zealand have struggled to take early wickets.  Hundreds have come from Sri Lanka’s opener and number 4, which means the Black Caps inability to make quick inroads is hurting them.  One player who can turn that around is the retuning Tim Southee.  He didn’t get a chance in Auckland due to the rain but he’ll love bowling in the swing friendly conditions of Nelson.

Angelo Mathews – As a captain he probably under-utlises himself at the bowling crease, but he needn’t.  Unless the reasons for doing so are injury related, Matthews should continue to trust himself to either stifle runs or take valuable wickets.  His three at Eden Park may give him the confidence to bowl more.  If not, he’s still a key player for his batsmanship.

The Match Odds*

New Zealand – $1.50

Sri Lanka – $2.60

*Courtesy of Unibet.

The Prediction

New Zealand benefited more than Sri Lanka did in the washout at Auckland.  Martin Guptill’s open wicket net session was the perfect tonic for him to return to form; Latham too.  Therefore, we’re picking a New Zealand win on the back of a complete batting performance (maybe even more runs from Guptill if you fancy a top run-scorer flutter).