Cricket World Cup Tips and Previews, Oct 12-14
Australia vs. South Africa
12th October
Australia will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing showing against India in their ODI World Cup opener when they meet South Africa on Thursday night.
The Aussies, who lost to the home side by six wickets in Chennai, had every chance to post a winning score after a 69-run partnership between David Warner (41) and Steve Smith (46), but instead collapsed to be all out for 199.
Marcus Stoinis will return to the line-up in place of struggling all-rounder Cameron Green if he can pass a fitness test on his injured hamstring.
The Proteas is in form and hoping to make it two on the bounce after their scintillating 102-run victory over Sri Lanka. Not only did they smash their opponents in Delhi, but they obliterated the record books with three players making centuries in the one game: Rassie van der Dussen (108), Aiden Markram (106), and Quinton de Kock (100).
South Africa recovered from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Aussie in their most recent ODI series last month, another mental barrier Australia must overcome to get off the mark.
Suggested Bet:
Australia to win at $1.64
New Zealand vs. Bangladesh
13th October
After going down to England in the most heartbreaking circumstances during the World Cup final four years ago, New Zealand’s comeback is off to a flyer, with the Black Caps sitting on top of the standings with two wins.
After dispatching England by nine wickets in the World Cup opener, the Kane Williamson-less Kiwis followed it up with a 99-run win over the Netherlands. They posted 322/7 against the Flying Dutchmen, with Will Young (70), Tom Latham (53), and Rachin Ravindra (51) all hitting the scoreboard.
Ravindra had the most extraordinary start to his World Cup career with 123* against England from just 96 balls.
Bangladesh’s World Cup has been less dominant, with a six-wicket win over Afghanistan followed by a 137-run loss to England.
While Najmul Hossain Shanto (two half-centuries) and Shoriful Islam (five wickets) have flown the flag for the Tigers, they’ll need far more from their starting XI if they are going to slow down the $1.27 Black Caps.
Suggested Bet:
R. Ravindra top NZ batsman at $5.00
India vs. Pakistan
14th October
The game we’ve all been waiting for.
India will enter their highly anticipated match-up with Pakistan as $1.41 favourites as both sides attempt to maintain their unbeaten start to the tournament.
India slid into second spot in the standings overnight following their eight-wicket win over Afghanistan. Chasing 272 for victory, the Indians were relentless with the bat as Rohit Sharma led the charge with 131 (84). Virat Kohli 55* made it two consecutive half-centuries, while Jasprit Bumrah set the scene with 4/39 (10).
As for Pakistan, they sit just one spot below the Indians in third. However, it will be a case of shoulders back and chests out for the Pakistanis after they set a new record when they successfully chased down Sri Lanka’s 344/9 on Tuesday night.
Led by Muhammed Rizwan’s 131* and Abdullah Shafique’s 113, Pakistan was 37/2 before mounting the most incredible run chase in World Cup history.
Undoubtedly the match of the tournament so far, don’t be surprised if Babar Azam and the Green Shirts take the home side all the way.
