Cricket: 3rd ODI – South Africa v Sri Lanka Odds and Betting Preview

Story by George Coombs on 2012-01-16 23:48:32

BLOEMFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA – South Africa will face Sri Lanka in Bloemfontein on Tuesday as they look to wrap up a series victory in this five match ODI contest. Sri Lanka bounced back strongly from their shocking 43 all out in the opening match to only get beaten by five wickets with eight balls of the game remaining in East London. The have a great chance of securing victory and propelling themselves back in this series as the hosts have decided to leave out two of their star performers.

South Africa remain the strong odds on favourites for this third ODI and can be backed at 2/5 with Stan James. Sri Lanka are a best price of 12/5 with bet365, which looks a big price if the World Cup finalists discover their best form.

South Africa have made two major changes to their squad ahead of this deciding match in Bloemfontein and could be set to leave out another in Dale Steyn. Hashim Amla is awaiting the birth of his first child while Jacques Kallis is rested and the pair have been in sparkling form throughout the South African summer. Colin Ingram and Alviro Petersen will come into the side and these two players have earned a call-up thanks to some superb domestic form. Ingram scored consecutive hundreds for his franchise and if he can make the step up to internatyional cricket it will show the wealth of talent South Africa have at their disposal.

Sri Lanka were cautious in their approach to the second ODI following their abysmal opening display in this format of the game and really need to take the game to the hosts to have any chance of winning here. This will represent their best chance of a victory against a weakened South African side but injury could rule Dilhara Fernando out whilst Ajantha Mendis is already on a plane back home. The Sri Lankan top order will be eager to score some runs at this venue but they will have their work cut out against a bowling attack full of confidence.

In the Top South Africa Batsman betting, AB de Villiers leads the way priced up at 7/2 with Boylesports whilst Graeme Smith is a general 4/1 chance on Tuesday. Alviro Petersen and Colin Ingram come into the ODI side and are quoted at 4/1 and 5/1 respectively with Sportingbet. Ingram has asked for the number three slot which should give him the perfect opportunity to top his side’s run-scoring charts today.  

Kumar Sangakkara is the most prominent player in the Top Sri Lanka Batsman betting, priced up at 7/2 with most firms but he along with most of the experienced Sri Lankan batsman has failed to deliver to date. He only managed three runs from 28 balls in the second ODI, an innings which may have cost his side the game. Tillakaratne Dilshan is a 4/1 chance while Mahela Jayawardene is a standout 9/2 with Coral. Upul Tharanga is a 9/2 shot with Blue Square in a relatively open market for the visitors.

Dale Steyn should start this game despite talk of him being rested and he is the 3/1 favourite in the Top South Africa Bowler betting whilst the opening pair of Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Morne Morkel are both available at 7/2 with Blue Square. Johan Botha is a standout 5/1 with Ladbrokes and the spinner has taken more wickets at this venue that anyone in the South African squad.

In the Top Sri Lanka Bowler market Lasith Malinga is a 2/1 chance at Ladbrokes and looks the only man capable of containing the formidable South African batsmen. Nuwan Kulasekara is available at 4/1 with the same firm while the spinner Rangana Herath is also quoted at 4/1 with bet365. Herath will need to step-up following the injury to Mendis and he bowled an impressive wicketless spell in the last game which should give him confidence today.

Play begins at 12.30 GMT on Tuesday 17th January and all the action is broadcast live on Sky Sports 1.

South Africa v Sri Lanka – Match Result Odds