Cricket Betting Tips: Steyn’s absence can see England start tournament in winning fashion
IT IS often the case that the first match of a major sporting event turns into a bit of a damp squib.
In tournaments like the football World Cup, it is rare that we get to see two leading nations take each other on early in the competition.
However, fans are in for a real treat today as the world’s best ODI team and pre-tournament favourites England face the number three ranked side in the world, South Africa, at The Oval in the opening match of the 2019 Cricket World Cup.
England’s rise from dismal defeats to Ireland in 2011 and Bangladesh four years later to World Cup hotshots has been quite staggering.
Since that 15-run defeat at Adelaide in 2015, captain Eoin Morgan has led an extraordinary transformation and there are few who could argue they don’t deserve their favourites tag as they seek a first World Cup.
They look to have all bases covered with Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow forming a fearsome opening partnership at the top of the order, while in Jos Buttler they have arguably the most destructive batsman on the planet.
The recent introduction of Jofra Archer, whose pace and death-bowling expertise will complement an already potent seam attack, looks a masterstroke, while Adil Rashid has become one of the 50-over format’s best leg-spinners.
They face a Proteas side who, despite promising so much, have failed to deliver when it counts on the world stage.
The four-time semi-finalists, often referred to as the World Cup’s ‘chokers’, have been blessed with some of the game’s greats, but in seven attempts, they still haven’t found a way to put it all together.
Their batting is solid enough, with the elegant yet exhilarating Quinton de Kock backed-up by veterans Faf du Plessis and Hashim Amla.
However, in a tournament where batting is expected to take centre stage, they will be hoping their high-quality bowling attack can give them an edge.
If all are fit and firing, captain du Plessis has five bowlers, all of whom are ranked in the top-30 of the ICC bowling rankings, at his disposal.
Kagiso Rabada has become one of the world’s best fast bowlers, while rising star Lungi Ngidi, the Proteas’ leading ODI wicket taker in 2018, has all the tools required to make a real name for himself on the world stage.
Despite being 40 years old, Imran Tahir continues to be a real handful with his array of spin variations, while Andile Phehlukwayo is gradually becoming one of the game’s best all-rounders.
The fifth member of this lethal bowling unit would usually be Dale Steyn, but the veteran quick will miss today’s opener with a shoulder injury.
And it’s Steyn absence that looks to have turned the tables firmly in England’s direction.
The 35-year-old’s troublesome shoulder places extra pressure on Rabada, a responsibility he perhaps could have done without having only bowled seven overs in South Africa’s warm-up fixtures.
England have won 15 of their last 16 ODIs at home and I expect them to get their World Cup campaign off to the best possible start.
Sporting Index offer a spread of 67- 73 in their England 100-50-0 Index, where 100 points are awarded if England win.
I advise buying England at 73 and providing they get the job done, you’ll make 27 times your stake.
POINTERS
Buy England 73 Sporting Index