South Africa v England – Super 8 Match

South Africa won’t want to go crashing out of another World Cup early and in many ways all the pressure is on them this evening. Having briefly held number one status in One Dayers their campaign so far has been a little disappointing. They started by not even getting close to the Aussies and followed up recently with a loss to Bangladesh, who even Ireland beat! I think they are too strong in every department tonight for England however and now that the $1.57 has disappeared on the Saffers I think the best option is to go to Betworks and take some of the -21.5 at $1.90 about them. When England lose they tend to lose convincingly and the extra 33c is well worth the chance that England get close to South Africa tonight. On top of this it seems all is not well with England’s star man Andrew Flintoff, he was sent for tests for Glandular Fever yesterday, though the tests were negative, which gives you a clue as to how he is feeling. England would need big performances from their star men to live with the Saffers and I think they will simply get overpowered tonight unless Pietersen produces something big. He’s no stranger to that, however, with three centuries in his first 7 ODI’s against South Africa but, as long as they get him before he does real damage, I still think the Southern Africans will win and win well.
South Africa -21.5 handicap, 2 pts at $1.90: Betworks.

Andrew Strauss has just come back into the team, due to Ed Joyce not being able to capitalise on his opportunity, and though he isn’t in the best form of his life he still shouldn’t be a 6/1 shot. He should come in first drop again tonight and backers will be glad to know that he is not the sort of bloke to be fazed by big games. His temperament has been good throughout a summer of bad decisions and I think this will help him in England’s biggest game of the tournament so far. He should be a 5/1 or 11/2 poke for me.
Andrew Strauss top England run scorer, ½ pt at $7.00: Centrebet; Betchoice.

There is talk that South Africa may well welcome back into the fray Justin Kemp and Charl Langeveldt tonight, at the expense of Loots Bosman and Robin Peterson. I think this will mean a move one spot up the order for the destructive Mark Boucher. He is capable of destroying attacks on his day, Boucher, but also has the technique and good sense to rescue his side from bad positions. If he does bat at 5, which I think he will, then he is no bigger than 15/2 or 8/1, if 6 then 10 or 12 is about right. We’ll back him at the 12/1 and hope that Kemp does play and Bouch comes in after Herschelle Gibbs.
Mark Boucher top South Africa run scorer, ½ pt at $13.00: Stan James. 
 
Plays of the day

South Africa -21.5 handicap, 2 pts at $1.90: Betworks.
Andrew Strauss top England run scorer, ½ pt at $7.00: Centrebet; Betchoice.
Mark Boucher top South Africa run scorer, ½ pt at $13.00: Stan James.