South Africa v England 2nd ODI: Visiting batsmen to impress once more
Published:
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | February 4, 2016
South Africa v England
- Second ODI
- Saturday, February 6th
- Play starts: 08:00 GMT
- St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth
- Live on Sky Sports 2
In-form England to continue charge
England (even-money match chances with Coral) continued their fine form in South Africa, as they claimed the first One Day International by seeing off their hosts after smashing a first innings score of 399-9, the tourists’ second highest 50 overs return in history.
The Proteas (slight 4/5 odds-on favourites) replied with 250-5 off 33.5 overs, but lost on Duckworth-Lewis method by 39 runs as rain stopped play.
Now the two teams travel down to the coast at Port Elizabeth, where South Africa boast a winning 2-1 record against England at in ODIs.
The visitors triumphed convincingly by seven wickets with 112 remaining last time out, though, and will fancy their chances of doubling their series too.
England had four South African-born stars in that match (openers Jonathan Trott and Andrew Strauss, number three Kevin Pietersen and wicketkeeper Matt Prior), but have just the one in the current squad.
Whole host of batting talent available to tourists
Jason Roy, born and brought up until the age of 10 further up the coast in Durban, got England’s innings rolling last time out with a super knock of 48 off just 30 deliveries. Although he didn’t manage the most runs for his team, he got the highest strike rate and is 4/1 to be top batsman in the 2nd ODI.
Jos Buttler, however, got most of the plaudits, and rightly so after his fourth international hundred in this form of the game (105 off 76), and the wicketkeeper is 11/2 in the same market, as he continues his battle for a place with Jonny Bairstow behind the stumps.
Alex Hales (57), Joe Root (52) and Ben Stokes (57) also all impressed with the bat, and are respective 4/1, 3/1 and 7/1 shouts.
Young Yorkshire star Root is also the subject of a Coral enhanced wincast, with odds of 15/2.
Ali best with ball at Bloemfontein
Spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali was best with the ball for England, meanwhile, getting figures of 3-43 after six overs, and is 4/1 to get the most wickets again, but has competition from David Willey (10/3), Adil Rashid (7/2) and Stokes (9/2).
South Africa wicketkeeper/opening batsman Quinton de Kock was the hosts’ standout performance in the first ODI, and it was perhaps unfortunate his unbeaten knock of 138 from 96 was for nothing as rain brought an early end to his innings. But he is a terrific 7/2 to be best batsman for the hosts once more.
The Proteas may have put up a better fight had world number one 50-over batsman AB de Villiers (11/4) stayed in for longer, but he managed just eight after becoming a victim of yet another wonder-catch from Stokes on the boundary.
Former Test captain Hashim Amla (3/1) also walked early on just six after being bowled by Willey, while Faf du Plessis (9/2) managed 55.
The South Africans were certainly missing the talent of Kagiso Rabada in attack, but you can back him at 3/1 to be best Proteas bowler if he returns, while Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel (both 3/1) and Chris Morris (7/2) should be available again.
Related
Coral’s top tip: Buttler is a brilliant 11/2 shout to be best England batsman again after his knock of 105 last time out.
