Cricket: 1st Test Match - South Africa v Australia Odds and Betting Preview

Story by Jack Howard on 2011-11-08 18:28:53

CENTURION, SOUTH AFRICA – South Africa host touring side Australia in the first game of their two match test series starting in Centurion on Wednesday. Australia begin the game as the side with the momentum, having beaten their hosts 2-1 in their recent one-day series, but South Africa remain slight favourites to win at 7/4 (bet £4 to make £7 profit) with bet365. Michael Clarke’s Australian side, on the other hand, can be backed at a marginally longer 2/1 with Coral, whilst the draw is on offer at an identical 2/1 with Stan James.

South Africa were extremely disappointed to lose against Australia in their one-day series, and will be desperate to exact revenge with an emphatic win in the first test-match. The team looked underprepared against their Australian opponents in the shorter version of the game, prompting captain Graeme Smith to make a public statement acknowledging the inherent problems with South Africa’s seven-month absence from international cricket. In this same statement, however, Smith made it explicitly clear that his side would come out fighting on Wednesday, with every intention of rectifying their recent failure.

If Smith’s side are to defeat Australia, wiping clean the slate in the eyes of their supporters, then their top batsmen must produce their very best cricket. Jacques Kallis is undoubtedly the most experienced player in the South African top order, averaging a colossal 57.43 in his 145 test matches and currently topping the world test batsman rankings. Unsurprisingly Kallis is favourite to make the most runs for his side, and can currently be backed to do so at best odds of 10/3 with Stan James. Number 3 batsman Hashim Amla is also thought likely to top score for the home side at a slightly longer 4/1 with Stan James, whilst captain Graeme Smith is available at 5/1 with BetVictor. 

Australia defeated Sri Lanka in a successful tour of the subcontinent earlier this year, as newly appointed skipper Michael Clarke demonstrated high levels of tactical nous and flair for captaincy. The selectors will hope that he can fare equally well against the South African test side. Australia’s most dangerous batsman is deemed to be Ricky Ponting by the bookmakers - the man who Clarke has replaced as team captain. Ponting is currently on offer to top score for his team at best odds of 4/1 with Paddy Power, whilst Clarke can be backed at longer odds of 5/1 with Coral. Michael Hussey, who is famed for his determination and grit at the crease, is also deemed likely to hit the most runs for the visitors at 9/2 with Coral.

The South African squad boasts the most destructive pair of opening bowlers in international cricket, and Smith will be relying on Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel to terrorise the Australian batsmen in their upcoming match. Steyn is currently favourite to be his side’s most successful bowler at 9/4 with William Hill, whilst Morkel can be backed at 3/1 with bet365. Australia’s most dangerous bowler, on the other hand, is thought to be Mitchell Johnson at 11/4 with Blue Square, whilst Ryan Harris is available at 3/1 with Skybet.

Play starts at 08.30 GMT

South Africa v Australia Match Odds

South Africa Top Batsman Odds

Australia Top Batsman Odds

South Africa Top Bowler Odds

Australia Top Bowler Odds