South Africa v England 5th ODI: Proteas set up tasty series decider
Published:
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | February 13, 2016
South Africa v England
- Fifth ODI
- Sunday, February 14th
- Play starts: 08:00 GMT
- Newlands, Cape Town
- Live on Sky Sports 2
Proteas have momentum ahead of 5th ODI
The omens look bleak for England after giving away a 2-0 lead in the five-match One Day International series with South Africa, as they have never tasted victory in this form of the game at the final destination Cape Town.
In four previous attempts, the Proteas have run out winners – the last two convincingly by more than 100 runs in 2009 and 2005 – which is why they are now the 8/11 odds-on favourites with Coral to seal the series. England are 11/10 chances.
South Africa only just managed to scrape through the 4th ODI in Johannesburg by only one wicket to set up this decider on the Southwest coast of the country, and have unlikely hero Chris Morris largely to thank.
The tail-ender smashed 68 from 38 deliveries, before being bowled by Adil Rashid, while Imran Tahir and Kyle Abbott did just enough to stay in and bat it out in a nail-biting finish to surpass England’s 262 total.
Can Amla and De Villiers run riot in Cape Town again?
Morris will be hoping to hand the batting burden to others this time around, and the hosts thankfully have the likes of superstars Hashim Amla and captain AB de Villiers to turn to.
While the duo flopped in Johannesburg, they tore England apart the last time the two nations tussled in Cape Town, with the former hitting 86 from 92 balls and the latter walloping 121 from just 85.
You can back them both at 3/1 to be best South African batsmen, while Amla is available at 6/1 in Coral’s enhanced wincast.
Broad back and raring to go
But one man the Proteas will need to watch out for is world number one Test bowler Stuart Broad, who was brought back into the England 50-over XI for the fourth ODI in a bid to prevent a comeback.
In the end, Broad’s inclusion couldn’t stop South Africa levelling the series, but he did strike early to bowl opener Amla out for a three-ball duck, and he also got the wicket of the former Test skipper here in 2009 on his way to taking four other scalps.
With Broad now warmed up, the stage is certainly set for the big-game player to be best with the ball for the visitors again at 10/3.
Others to look out for include Reece Topley (4/1), Ben Stokes (9/2) and Rashid (7/2), who have all impressed this series.
Root in fine form
Joe Root again led the way with the bat, hitting his eighth ODI hundred to help his side stay in the game with most of his teammates falling like flies. The young Yorkshireman tops England’s batting market at 5/2, while he is 13/2 in the enhanced wincast.
Alex Hales (with 50), Chris Woakes (33) and Rashid (39) were the only others to score more than six runs for Trevor Bayliss’ men, and the latter is priced at 7/2 to get the most.
New South Africa Test starlet Kagiso Rabada showed what he is made of in the shorter game too, taking figures of 4-45 after being re-called mid-series.
The 20-year-old is 3/1 to be best Proteas bowler once more, while other stars Morne Morkel and Imran Tahir are priced the same.
Related
Coral’s top tip: Broad is a brilliant 10/3 shout to be top England bowler.
