Match Analysis In Brief

KEY BETTING STATS

• South Africa have won each of their last five official ODIs – To Win the Match
• Aiden Markram has scored 50+ runs in four of South Africa’s last five official ODIs – Batter Milestones
• Each of Netherlands’ two 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup fixtures so far has seen one of their players lose their wicket through being run out – Total Run Outs – Match

BETTING ANALYSIS/TIPS For SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa has now accumulated scores of over 300 in each of their last five official ODIs, twice reaching over 400. The Proteas have already racked up a record ICC Cricket World Cup score of 428/5 against Sri Lanka, and when you factor in their 311/7 vs. Australia on Thursday, South Africa have amassed an incredible 739 runs across the group stage so far.

Wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock has had a wonderful start to the tournament. The opener backed up his 100 vs Sri Lanka with 109 against Australia. Only once before in his career has De Kock scored three consecutive ODI hundreds, but in his current form, he is well worth backing to do so again (4.00). Also, backing De Kock to the top score in this game represents good value (3.75) in a crowded field.

Of the other South African batters, Aiden Markram’s sheer consistency deserves investment. He has passed 50 in four of his last five official ODI innings, twice going to three figures. With scores of 106 and 56 across this Cricket World Cup so far, back him via the ‘Batter Milestones’ market to reach both 50+ (2.20) and 70+ runs (3.00).

This past Tuesday, England’s left-arm pace bowler Reece Topley ripped apart Bangladesh at the HPCA Stadium, taking four wickets and making full use of conditions suited to his height and skills. Like Topley, South Africa’s Marco Jansen is a tall left-arm swing bowler who could gain just as much joy on this ground. Back him to finish as the Proteas’ top bowler here (5.50).

BETTING ANALYSIS/TIPS For NETHERLANDS

It’s hard to look beyond the Netherlands as anything other than gigantic underdogs heading into this match when considering the quality and form of their opponents. While their two group matches so far have seen them pass 200 with the bat, they were ultimately beaten in both games, conceding 608 runs in total after winning the toss and bowling first on each occasion.

Bowler Logan van Beek missed his side’s defeat against New Zealand on Monday through a hamstring injury and faces a race against time to be fit for this next game. He is a key part of the Netherlands’ pace bowling attack and would be a big miss again, especially in Dharamsala, where new ball bowling is critical.

Aryan Dutt will open the bowling and should have the best of conditions on a ground that has offered movement for the seamers early on in previous matches. Dutt took 2+ wickets against New Zealand and is worth backing to achieve the same feat here at good value odds (4.00). On the flip-side, though, it’s hard to see Netherlands’ opening batters lasting long against the South African pacers on a Dharamsala surface, so back them to record an opening partnership total of under 20.5 runs (1.90)

It would be remiss not to mention all-rounder Bas de Leede, whom so much rests upon with bat and ball. The 23-year-old has been the Netherlands’ highest run-scorer in two of his last three official ODI appearances for his country, scoring 123, 67, and 18. Back him to do so again with a small stake via the Team – Top Batter market (5.50).

CRICKET 8’S EXPERT PREDICTION

The inclement weather forecast means bettors must be extra careful when investing in this contest. Do not make any moves until closer to the start of play, when it will hopefully become clearer as to whether rain will directly affect the game. Should enough overs be bowled to gain a result, South Africa are expected to triumph comfortably, with the Proteas a far stronger side with bat and ball, not to mention their dressing room being full of momentum and confidence.

Across their two group-stage victories so far, four South African hundreds have been scored. The last fixture to take place at Dharamsala also saw a batter reach three figures, that being England’s Dawid Malan. It would be a surprise, provided the weather stays dry, if we didn’t see another century from a South African player against the Netherlands, especially if they are batting first again.

TIP

SOUTH AFRICA TO SCORE A HUNDRED IN THE MATCH (2.00)

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