Australia completed a 3-0 sweep over the South Africans in their T20 series and will now embark on a five match ODI series kicking off on Thursday night from Bloemfontein. Check out our preview and betting tips for the series below.
South Africa vs Australia ODI Series Betting Tips
Game 1: Bloemfontein, Thursday 7th, 9.00pm (AEST)
Game 2: Bloemfontein, Saturday 9th, 9.00pm (AEST)
Game 3: Bloemfontein, Tuesday 12th, 9.00pm (AEST)
Game 4: Centurion, Friday 15th, 9.00pm (AEST)
Game 5: Johannesburg, Sunday 17th, 6.00pm (AEST)
Series Preview
Australia were far too good for the South Africans in the T20 series, claiming a 3-0 win on the back of some brilliant performances from skipper Mitch Marsh. Marsh plundered over 200 runs in the three match series and was dismissed just one time, finding some valuable white ball form just weeks out from the start of the ODI World Cup.
A host of big names will join the Australian squad for the commencement of the ODI’s, including Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Cameron Green, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne. Steve Smith and Mitch Starc were set to take place in the series but have been removed from the squad with niggles in an attempt to be fit for the commencement of the World Cup.
Tough to know exactly how the Australians will line up for the first game and beyond, as I expect there will be plenty of experimentation throughout the five match series as they look to find their best line-up. If both Smith and Maxwell can prove fitness for World Cup, the Aussies have so many options for a potential best seven. Will Warner hold his spot at the top of the order or could we see one of the wicket-keepers open up with Travis Head to make way for a 2nd all-rounder in the middle order. Time will tell, but I think given the availabilities in this series, the best XI on paper looks something like..
Our Best Australia XI: Travis Head, David Warner, Marnus Labuchagne, Mitch Marsh, Ashton Turner, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
The South Africans also have some top tier talent being inserted into their squad for the ODI series. Quinton de Kock, David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen will strengthen the batting order while Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Wayne Parnell should all play a big part with the ball.
The South African potential best XI looks a lot more settled than their opponents outside of one or two question marks leading into the World Cup.
Our Best South African XI: Quinton de Kock, Temba Bevuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Wayne Parnell, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje
With the influx of talent in the South African line-up, I actually expect them to be a lot more competitive in the ODI series than they were in the T20s. Their top order is also a lot more suited to the longer white ball format with the likes of van der Dussen and Bavuma naturally liking to bat at around 90-100 strikerate rather than 120+.
Still like the Australians to win but I’d definitely wager some capital on the home side to take at least one or two games in this series.
Player Props
Mitch Marsh Top Series Runscorer (AUS) - Odds coming soon - Tough to look past the new Aussie white ball skipper as the top runscorer here. He has been on an absolute tear throughout the T20 series and may be the only Aussie batsman to play in all five of these games in the lead up to the WC.
Wayne Parnell Top Series Wicket Taker (SA) - Odds coming soon - I'm expecting both Rabada and Nortje to miss at least one of these ODIs just given the sheer toll bowling that fast takes on the body. Parnell is a much more efficient seamer though and seems more able to back it up night in, night out. Should play the majority of these games.
