South Africa v West Indies – Super 8 Match

A big match tonight for both teams. If the West Indies lose this they are out, but if the Saffers lose then suddenly there is a whole heap of pressure on them to make it to the semis. It has the all the hallmarks of a cracker. The South Africans will probably be missing Herschelle Gibbs, he’s off to sell seashells on the seashore, and I’m almost tempted backing the WIndies at the $2.85 at Expekt, I think I’d be a touch shorter than this but feel it’s a little too marginal to play. If you must have a bet in the head to head have a little tickle on the KFC’s but I’d prefer to stay out until the match starts. We know very little about this ground, there’s never been an ODI here before, apart from that the teams expect some dampness and seam movement in the early morning.

With Gibbs out Loots Bosman is likely to come into the side as opener alongside Graeme Smith, with AB de Villiers dropping into the middle order. Bosman hasn’t really made his mark yet in international cricket but he is well thought of and you don’t get into the South African side, keeping players of the calibre of Heinrich Human Dippenaar out, unless you can play. This makes the 8/1 about him top scoring for the Saffers pretty attractive at Betworks or Lasseters. I’d probably be $7.50-$8.00 so we’ll have half a point.
Loots Bosman top South Africa runscorer, ½ pt at $9.00: Betworks; Lasseters.

Chris Gayle hasn’t fired much of late, but he is just that sort of player. Like Sanath Jayasuriya the way he plays means he is likely to have a run of low scores punctured by a biggun. Firms often make the mistake of pushing him right out when he is struggling and shortening him too much when he is firing. These sort of under and over-reactions provide a lot of the best opportunities for us punters. The 9/2 at Expekt is OK, I’d be 4/1, so we’ll just take half a point to win.
Chris Gayle top West Indies runscorer, ½ pt at $5.50: Expekt.

Plays of the day

Loots Bosman top South Africa runscorer, ½ pt at $9.00: Betworks; Lasseters.
Chris Gayle top West Indies runscorer, ½ pt at $5.50: Expekt.