ZAF vs AUS 1st ODI match prediction 29 Feb 2020
South Africa will host Australia in the first of the three-match ODI series at the Boland Park, in Paarl this Saturday.
After a crushing loss to Australia in the final match of the T20I series, the Proteas will be eager to turn the tables in the 50-over format. On the other hand, Australia are looking strong as a team and won’t make any errors inside the park. We are expecting an edge-of-the-seat action in the upcoming ODI series. For us, we are being gifted with an enthralling ODI series and also getting an opportunity to win loads of money. Just read through my analysis and do the needful.
David Warner to explode at the top once again
I cannot recall such an explosive batsman in ODI cricket such a David Warner in recent times, but that does not give you licence to invest money on it. However, his record against the Proteas might give you a few reasons to do so and I am serious. Having played 20 matches against South Africa in his career, the southpaw has scored 943 runs at an average of 47.15 runs per innings which includes four centuries and as many fifties. But that’s fine. Now, look at his last five scores against South Africa – 122, 173, 6, 117, 50, he scored a total of 468 runs at an average of 93.6 runs per innings and was the top batter for his team in three of those matches.
Even if that was great, his exploits while playing in South Africa is no less than insane. Having played just nine matches in the rainbow nation, Warner has scored a massive 538 runs at an average of 59.77 per innings including two centuries and fifties each. Warner has scored two centuries in the last three matches he played in South Africa. Do I need to tell you more? This is a guaranteed bet.
South Africa’s opening pair to outshine their counterparts
South Africa has been one of the toughest countries to play away in a bilateral series with even the strongest teams finding it difficult to squeeze out a win. Strong opening pairs have always been consistent throughout, starting with the likes of Herschel Gibbs and Gary Kirsten. Going along the same lines, the Proteas have always had the better partnership in the last five matches at the Boland Park, in Paarl, having scored a total of 310 runs at an average of 62 runs per innings and conceding just 114 runs (22.8 runs on average).
If we look at the last five H2H matches against Australia, the story is somewhat similar, with the Proteas getting the upper hand in four of their last five matches played. While South Africa have managed to put up a total of 232 runs at a rate of 46.4 runs per innings compared to 94 runs (18.8 runs per innings). Even if we consider H2H matches in South Africa, the hosts lead three to two, having amassed a total of 326 runs at an average of 65.2 runs per innings while Australia have managed to score 251 runs (50.2 runs per innings). Even in the last five matches, Australia has once outscored their opponents in terms of the opening partnership. This bet will give you guaranteed returns.
At least five boundaries expected from Quinton de Kock
Quinton de Kock gained the reputation of being one of the most dependable ODI batsmen in the world and when he plays at home, he is unstoppable. Apart from scoring runs at a brisk pace, he is also a good striker of the ball. Not anyone in the world managed to hit 26 boundaries in their last five ODI matches at a rate of more than five boundaries per match, which has compelled me to invest on this bet even though it is a risky one. But wait, there’s more for you.
In the last four matches against Australia, the left-hander has hit a total of 15 fours (3.75 per innings) with an overall count of 70 in 20 H2H matches at a rate of exactly 3.5 strikes per innings. In 2019, Quinton played 17 ODIs and hit a massive 100 boundaries at an average of 5.88 hits per innings. Having played 43 matches at home, the opener has struck a gargantuan 273 boundaries at a rate of 6.34 strikes per match!! That’s incredible. With odds of 2.25 for him to score five fours in the upcoming match, I have no choice but to take the risk. I hope you are of the same opinion too.
