South Africa would have expected to be lining up in the Super 8s at the T20 World Cup but there are plenty of raised eyebrows at the fact that it’s the United States they are playing.
The co-hosts and debutants stunned the cricket world when they beat Pakistan in the group phase, the stand-out result which helped them accompany India into the second phase.
South Africa, without hitting top gear, won all four of their group games and ominously appear to have plenty left in the tank.
T20 World Cup Tips
- USA Over 3.5 Sixes @ 4/5
- Saurab Netravalkhar top USA wicket-taker @ 12/5
- Aidan Markram Under 20.5 runs @ 17/20
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Jones can lead American boundary assault
The USA may have surprised a few by reaching the Super 8s but they absolutely deserve the right to be lining up against South Africa in Antigua.
The Americans could have been forgiven for being slightly fazed by the magnitude of the occasion but they freewheeled their way past Canada and Pakistan in their first two games and even gave India a run for their money.
The first two matches saw them batting at their best as they chased down 195 against the Canadians and then 159 against Pakistan, ultimately needing a super over in the latter.
What they have done really well is chanced their arm with 13 sixes against Canada, Aaron Jones thrashing ten of them, and four more against Pakistan, with Jones contributing a couple of those.
South Africa’s pace attack is fearsome but the ball flies off the bat and the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground is not the biggest venue. Take the States to clear 3.5 match sixes at 4/5.
Saurab can make life sticky for Proteas’ big guns
For South Africa to avoid a hiccup they need their top order to start firing.
Not one of their batters this tournament can boast a strike rate over 100 and while they have had to endure some of the trickiest pitches, that is still a concern.
Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram are all short of runs but we know that any, if not all of them, can turn it on in a heartbeat.
The swinging new ball has posed a problem and Saurab Netravalkhar, the US’s left-arm paceman, has looked dangerous with the gleaming white cherry and can do so again.
He has taken four wickets, including Mohammad Rizwan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, and is well worth backing at 12/5 to be the leading American wicket-taker.
Markram’s misery may not yet be over
Given his struggles, take Aiden Markram to score under 20.5 runs.
In four matches the Proteas’ skipper has mustered scores of 12, 0, 4 and 15, the latter batting first against Nepal. He is getting time at the crease and failing to perform.
He could take off at any time but South Africa have a history of dealing badly with pressure in international tournament cricket.
South Africa should still come through this test. They are explosive with both bat and ball and will appreciate playing on a decent track. But they look too short at 2/13.
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