iBet: South Africa’s T20 squad full of world class quality

World Twenty20 Cricket

Back South Africa at 9/2

Make no mistake, although South Africa’s Twenty20 game against Sri Lanka was reduced to seven overs because of rain, their 32-run defeat of the hosts amounts to a pummeling. On paper it looked feasible that the home nation could chase down the total of 78 – the only other time a World T20 game was reduced to seven overs, New Zealand reached Scotland’s 89 with an over to spare. Experts were predicting that the pitches would suit spinners, but in fact so far they have played into the hands of the seam bowlers and South Africa’s attack is full of world class quality in that department. Steyn and Morkel are ranked in the top ten in the world at both test and one-day level. They beat the bat consistently and simply never allowed Sri Lanka’s batsmen to get going. Meanwhile Jacque Kallis (5 wickets in the competition already) has a handy habit of getting people out when frustrated players hit out against him. South Africa are bristling with confidence and looked very good indeed against England this summer, who let us not forget lost their world No1 ranking to them. They also happen have batsmen ranked first and third in the world at ODIs in Amla and De Villiers. It’s an open competition where weather could play a key part, but with the pitches the way they are, they look decent value at 9/2.

Advices

Ladbrokes have priced up John Terry at 5/1 to play for England again. The Chelsea man lives and breathes football for club and country and his withdrawal from international duty due to his perceived lack of support from the FA could easily be reversed. If he did have a change of heart, Roy Hodgson would almost certainly pick him as he’s England’s best central defender.

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