3rd One Day International: South Africa v Australia Odds and Betting Preview

Story by George Coombs on 2011-10-27 23:22:06

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - The final One Day International between South Africa and Australia takes place on Friday in Durban with the series poised at one game all. This deciding match looks set to be a nail-biting affair as the Proteas rediscovered their form in the second match of the series recording a comfortable 80-run victory over the tourists. The winner of this encounter at Kingsmead will take the all-important momentum through to the pair’s upcoming two match test series.

The bookmakers can hardly split the two sides as they both jostle for favouritism. South Africa are quoted at a general odds-on 10/11 with most firms whilst Australia can be backed at even money with Betfred and Paddy Power to win and clinch the series.

Australia produced one of their most dismal performances, since Michael Clarke took over the captaincy and will hope to bounce back quickly after this sorry display. Shane Watson is a fitness concern for Australia and he could be replaced by Shaun Marsh who has now fully recovered from his niggle. Australia will take over at the top of the ODI rankings whatever the result in Kingsmead, a game that looks set to be plagued by poor weather.

South Africa’s pace men delivered in their last outing in Port Elizabeth and stand-in captain Hashim Amla will hope Dale Steyn and the hostile Morne Morkel keep improving, ready to peak in the test series. Amala is yet to make a big contribution with bat in hand and will want to find his own form in this crucial decider. The South African side looks fairly settled and they are expected to name an unchanged line-up. Mark Boucher was an injury concern but looks set to play despite picking up an injury to his finger in a routine net practice on Thursday.

In the Top South African Batsman market Jacques Kallis is the most prominent figure, priced at 10/3 with Stan James and Boylesports. He was instrumental in their domination of the Australian quick bowlers in Port Elizabeth as he top-scored with an aggressive 76 which included severn fours and two sixes. Hashim Amla is next at 7/2 with Sportingbet and is due a big score whilst fellow opener Graeme Smith is a 4/1 chance to top his side’s run scoring charts. Another who could feature in this market is JP Duminy who looks in ominous form in the last game and is 5/1 on Friday.

Shane Watson still remains at the head of the Top Australian Batsman market at a general 7/2 price despite his injury concerns that could rule him out. He is closely followed by Ricky Poniting at 4/1 and David Warner a 5/1 chance with Stan James. The skipper, Michael Clarke, can also be backed at 5/1 with Ladbrokes after his failure in the last match but is a player who has amassed over 6500 runs from his 205 ODI appearances.

In the Top Bowler markets the Australia seamers; Doug Bolinger and Mitchell Johnson are quoted as 3/1 chances with Sportingbet whilst Pat Cummins is a 7/2 shot with Ladbrokes and Blue Square. Morne Morkel was dominant with ball in hand in the 2nd ODI and is priced at 7/2 to repeat his success in Durban. Dale Steyn is 11/4 with Blue Square to snatch the honour of South Africa’s top bowler away from his opening partner.

Play begins at 13.30 BST and is broadcast live on Sky Sports.

South Africa v Australia – Match Betting