Cricket: 2nd ODI – South Africa v Sri Lanka Odds and Betting Preview

 0 Comments  George Coombs 2012-01-13 16:46:30

EAST LONDON, SOUTH AFRICA – Sri Lanka suffered the third largest One Day International defeat in history when they were bowled out for 43 in an embarrassing opening match of this series. The visitors travel to East London on Saturday as they bid to bounce back against the Rainbow Nation.

South Africa are the short-priced 1/3 favourites to win this tie at Buffalo Park, a place they suffered their last defeat at back in 1999. Sri Lanka need to bounce back quickly and the World Cup finalists are priced at 5/2 with bet365 to do just that.

South Africa took control of this Sunfoil series with a totally dominant display at Paal, which was the perfect start for their new ODI captain AB de Villiers. The hosts batted first and amassed an imposing 301 runs from their 50 overs before dismissing the visitors with relative ease. The new skipper was very aggressive setting 7-2 fields for many of his frontline bowlers but was given a large helping hand from abject Sri Lankan batting. The conditions are expected to be very similar to the first ODI here and so Sri Lanka will need to improve drastically to avoid another South African rout.

Sri Lanka were expected to trouble the South Africans in this shortened form of the game following a fairly one-sided Test series but this theory was blown out of the water as they were dismissed for their lowest total in ODI cricket history. They arrive at a ground on Saturday that is conducive to batting and they will hope that their experienced players can put their inconsistent form behind them. The Sri Lankans’ shot selection last time out was woeful and their bowlers failed to trouble the hosts, which was concerning.

Hashim Amla showed why he is ranked the number one batsman in world ODI cricket with his superb 112 run innings in Paal. He is currently available at 10/3 with Stan James in the Top South African Batsman market whilst the powerful Jacques Kalis is a 7/2 chance with the same firm. AB de Villiers and Graeme Smith are both quoted at 9/2 with Coral whilst JP Duminy is a standout 15/2 chance with bet365.

In the Top Sri Lanka Batsman betting Kumar Sangakkara is a 7/2 chance with Ladbrokes while the skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan is a general 4/1 shot. The visitors need some of their more experienced men to fire with bat in hand and the veteran Mahela Jayawardene is a standout 9/2 with Coral. Upul Tharanga is a standout 5/1 with Betfred whilst Angelo Matthews is an industry best price of 8/1 at Ladbrokes. Kosala Kulasekara was the only man to make it in to double figures in the opening game and it would be a surprise to see him top score again and so he is quoted at 20/1 today.

The South African bowlers were inspirational in the opening ODI and their efforts were the talking point despite the batsman surpassing 300 runs. Dale Steyn is the Top South African Bowler market leader for this one priced up at 3/1 with Ladbrokes. The new ball pairing of Morne Morkel and Lonwabo Tsotsobe are both 7/2 shots with Blue Square and it was Morkel who stole the show in Paal with a five-wicket haul. Johan Botha should be brought back int the side following his Big Bash exploits and he is a 5/1 chance with Paddy Power here.

Lasith Malinga was one of the few Sri Lankan bowlers who looked to trouble the hosts and it is no surprise to see him installed as the 2/1 favourite in the Top Sri Lankan Bowler market with Ladbrokes. Nuwan Kulasekara was another who impressed and could consider himself unlucky not to have picked up more wickets in Paal. His in-swingers could be far more effective today and he is a best price of 4/1 with William Hill. bet365 quote three players, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath and Thisara Perera at odds of 9/2.  

Play begins at 07.30 GMT on Saturday 14th January and the action is broadcast live on Sky Sports 3.

South Africa v Sri Lanka – Match Result Odds