South Africa v England 1st ODI: Visitors to rely on better strength in depth

Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | February 1, 2016

South Africa v England

England have better strength in depth

England head to the first of five One Day Internationals with South Africa full of confidence after beating the then-number one Test team in the longest form of the game, although they were thrashed in the final dead rubber.

On top of that, the tourists are undefeated at Bloemfontein in ODIs against the Proteas, having won two and dramatically drawn the other.

Eoin Morgan’s men, therefore, are very tempting 11/10 match chances with Coral, while the Irishman is 4/1 to be best batsman for his team.

In-form batsmen on offer for England

England will also have a whole host of batting stars available to them, including Joe Root. The young Yorkshireman is now firmly one of the best batsmen in the world in all forms of the game, and he tops that same market at 3/1.

Root is also available in a Coral matchday wincast, with enhanced odds of 8/1 (maximum stake of £20).

James Taylor, meanwhile, warmed up for this opening clash with a super knock of 116 off as many balls against South Africa A, and was backed up by Jonny Bairstow’s 58 from 30. The duo are 6/1 and 8/1 respectively to be best batsmen for England.

Don’t forget Ben Stokes (7/1), Alex Hales (4/1), Jos Buttler (8/1) and South African-born opener Jason Roy (9/2) too, who will all be hoping to feature.

Brilliant Broad back in ODI side

Stuart Broad looks set to lead the line for the visitors, and will be in buoyant mood after almost single-handedly beating South Africa in the third Test to take to series.

The paceman also jumped to number one in the world in Tests, and is 10/3 to show that he still has what it takes to impress in the 50-over game too, by being top England bowler.

Broad was rested for the warm-up game, but Adil Rashid (7/2), Reece Topley (4/1) and Chris Jordan (5/1) took three wickets apiece.

Others in line to feature include soon-to-be Yorkshire all-rounder David Willey (10/3), Chris Woakes (4/1) and Stokes (9/2).

De Villiers still on top of the world

Hosts South Africa (8/11 match favourites) should not be ruled out, though, as they happen to have world number one ODI batsman AB de Villiers, who holds a number of records in this form of the game.

The 50-over captain will be looking to put a disappointing test series, by his standards, behind him, and is 11/4 to get the most runs for his side.

Former test skipper Hashim Amla is the same price, while Quinton de Kock (4/1) and Faf du Plessis (9/2) are the best of the rest.

Enland need to tame Rabada

Kagiso Rabada was perhaps one of the very few South Africans that shined in the Test series, and took an incredible 13 wickets in the final match. Still only 20-years-old, he clearly has a big future ahead of him and is 3/1 in the hosts’ bowling market.

The injured Dale Steyn will miss out again, but fellow top 10 ODI-ranked stars Imran Tahir and Morne Morkel (both 3/1) will cause trouble for England batsmen.

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Coral’s top tip: England are a fantastic 11/10 to win this First ODI.