International Cricket: 2nd Test - South Africa v Australia Odds and Betting Preview

Story by Jack Howard on 2011-11-16 18:00:01

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – South Africa face Australia in the second game of their two match test series starting on Thursday. South Africa won the first match by an emphatic eight wicket margin, and will be hoping to repeat the result in their upcoming game. The hosts are currently favourites to do so, and can be backed to win at best odds of 7/4 (bet £4 to make £7 profit) with BetVictor. For those punters expecting Australia to level the series, however, the tourists are on offer at a longer 11/4 with bet365, whilst the draw is available at 2/1 with Paddy Power.

South Africa collapsed in their opening innings in Cape Town, as they were all bowled out for a meagre 96 runs, well short of Australia’s total of 284. Graeme Smith’s side rose to the challenge admirably, however, bowling out their Australian opposition for an astonishingly low total of 47 in their second innings, and then reaching their target for the loss of only two wickets. The comeback was one of the most memorable in recent times, and South Africa subsequently go in to the second test with all the momentum in their favour.

Smith will want his side to produce the kind of batting that they displayed in the second half of the Cape Town test, avoiding another middle order collapse at all costs when they face Australia in Johannesburg. Hashim Amla was particularly impressive in the second innings, amassing 112 runs in truly composed fashion. The bookmakers are clearly anticipating a similar display of batting in this upcoming match, and Amla is currently joint favourite with Jacques Kallis to top score for his side: both players can be backed at best odds of 7/2 with Ladbrokes. Graeme Smith also made a century in the second innings, and can be backed to make the most runs for his side at a slightly longer 9/2 with Coral.

Australia captain Michael Clarke will be devastated with his side’s defeat in the opening test match, and utterly determined to secure a win in Johannesbur. Clarke made an immaculate 151 in the first innings in Cape Town, and if he can produce a similar innings in the second test he would strongly assist his side’s chances of winning; Clarke can currently be backed to hit the most runs for his side at a market best of 9/2 with bet365. Australian legend Ricky Ponting is deemed even more dangerous than Clarke, however, and can be backed to top score at 4/1 with Boylesports, whilst Shane Watson is on offer at an identical 4/1 with Betinternet.

The Australian batsman face a particularly tough challenge in this match, as they have to face the opening combination of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, two of the most threatening strike bowlers in world cricket. Steyn is currently favourite to be his side’s most successful bowler at 2/1 with Blue Square, whilst Morkel is on offer at a longer 3/1 with Skybet. Australia’s most dangerous bowler, on the other hand, is thought to be Ryan Harris at 11/4 with Stan James.

Play Starts at 08.30 GMT

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