Cricket tipster Richard Mann found 10/1 and 18/5 winners in South Africa's last World Cup fixture – check out his latest preview as the Proteas meet New Zealand on Wednesday morning.
Cricket betting tips: New Zealand v South Africa
1pt Daryl Mitchell top New Zealand batsman 11/2 (Sky Bet)
1pt Daryl Mitchell to make a fifty in the match at 7/4 (General)
2pts Marco Jansen top South Africa bowler at 9/2 (Betfred)
Despite losing a high-scoring classic to Australia at the weekend, New Zealand might well have enhanced their World Cup credentials in the process, and they should not be underestimated when taking on South Africa in Pune on Wednesday morning, 8.30am, UK time.
South Africa are general 4/6 chances to chalk up another victory and consolidate their position just behind table-toppers India, but they were far from faultless when only scrambling home against Pakistan on Friday, very nearly making a mess of what appeared a relatively straightforward run chase, before New Zealand were only five runs short of chasing down a mammoth 389 against Australia a day later.
That was New Zealand's second defeat of the tournament, the other coming at the hands of the Indian juggernaut, but the Kiwis have not done a great deal wrong so far and in proving they can compete in a proper dust-up, and not just when boxing clever in lower-scoring matches, they now have to be considered title contenders.
Title contenders lock horns in Pune
South Africa do, too, and they ought to finish in the top two in the group stage, meaning they will avoid India in the last four and give themselves a fine chance of at least making the final. Perhaps this match will prove to be a dress rehearsal for the semi-finals, but a crucial two points will be the main consideration for now.
South Africa have looked a formidable outfit for much of what we’ve seen so far, particularly when batting first. Scores of 428-5, 311-7 and 399-7 illustrate that point perfectly, but losing to the Netherlands when batting second, and very nearly doing the same against Pakistan, confirms they are far from bombproof.
The prospect of a favourable batting surface in Pune should please South Africa’s aggressive middle order, and I thought the pitch served up on this ground when Sri Lanka played Afghanistan on Monday was a good one.
Given the style of play South Africa adopt, a good, true surface for batting would probably suit them more than their opponents who can definitely win ugly, and I’ll just about resist the temptation to bet New Zealand at 6/5.
The running theme throughout the tournament has been big runs, so both teams to score 300+ runs is clearly a runner again, or 600 or more total match runs.
Mighty Mitchell must be backed
However, I’m going to focus on a couple of individuals instead, kicking off with DARYL MITCHELL whose impressive form makes him a bet in the TOP NEW ZEALAND BATSMAN market at 11/2.
Mitchell has been in fine touch since the tournament began, already amassing 322 runs from only six matches thanks to a hundred and two half-centuries, and he looked particularly good for his 54 against Australia at the weekend.
Though a late arrival to international cricket, Mitchell has quickly established himself as one of the best all-format batsmen in the world, averaging over fifty in this format, and 57.21 in Test cricket.
Another factor in his favour here is that in Marco Jansen, South Africa have the leading wicket-taker (10) in the first powerplay at this World Cup, suggesting New Zealand are likely to suffer an early casualty or two before Mitchell comes into bat at number four. He could be perfectly placed.
The 11/2 for top Kiwi batsman looks too big, and given how well he is batting, I can resist adding MITCHELL TO MAKE A FIFTY at 7/4.
Aiden Markram was 10/1 winner for these pages when obliging for top match batsman against Pakistan, and he ought to go very well again. That said, I’m in no rush to oppose the likes of Mitchell in the top match batsman market, and 9/2 for top Proteas batsman is about right in a good field.
Jansen no left-field pick
Much more appealing is the aforementioned MARCO JANSEN, available to be backed at 9/2 for TOP SOUTH AFRICA BOWLER.
The tall, left-arm paceman has been close to the best fast bowler on show so far in India, perhaps giving best only to Jasprit Bumrah, and as already noted, his exploits in the powerplay have been particularly impressive. He should prove a handful for the two left handers in New Zealand’s top three.
In total, Jansen has 13 wickets at 22.30 in the tournament, and he has been picking up left handers for fun. Assuming they line up as they did against Australia, New Zealand will have five lefties in their top eight.
9/2 is too big about the 23-year-old Jansen who might yet to prove to be South Africa’s key man as we enter the business end of the World Cup.
Preview published at 1600 GMT on 30/10/23
Related links
- Click here for Sky Bet's World Cup odds
- Paul Krishnamurty's cricket betting masterclass
- Latest cricket Only Bettor podcast
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