Australia vs. South Africa T20 betting preview and free tips

Third T20 – 6:00pm local time on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at Newlands, Cape Town

South Africa
$1.81 at Sportsbet.com
ICC ranking: 2nd
T20 form: W W W W L

Australia
$2 at WilliamHill.com
ICC ranking: 8th
T20 form: L L L L W

Australia ended their Twenty20 International drought in stunning fashion at the weekend, edging out South Africa on the last ball of the match to square the three-match series at one win apiece.

David Warner (77) and Glenn Maxwell (75) were the heroes with the bat, combining for a record fourth-wicket stand of 161 before James Faulkner and Mitchell Marsh finished the job in a manic final over.

South Africa had posted 204 on the back of a brisk 79 from captain Faf du Plessis, but the likes of David Wiese and Imran Tahir couldn’t contain the Aussie middle order after the impressive early work of Kagiso Rabada (2/25) and Dale Steyn (2/32).

The result leaves the series wide open heading into the decider at Cape Town, where both sides will look for a morale-boosting victory in their last hitout before the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 warm-up matches.

Having batted at number three in the first match of the series, Warner – for so long Australia’s go-to guy at the top of the order – dropped one spot further for the follow-up clash in Johannesburg.

While that experiment is beginning to pay dividends, we are no closer to knowing who will walk to the crease with Aaron Finch when the Aussies kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against New Zealand on March 18.

Shane Watson was given a run in the opener’s slot at the Wanderers, but the veteran allrounder managed only nine runs from 15 deliveries before hitting out off Steyn.

That indifferent display could see Darren Lehmann and the Australian selectors revert instantly to Usman Khawaja, who partnered Finch in the series opener at Durban.

Even with the batting order far from settled, Warner said the run-fest on Sunday was ideal preparation for India’s smaller venues.

“Our confidence is always going to be high [chasing any total],” the Australian vice-captain told reporters after the match.

“Our first two games [of the World T20] are at very small grounds in India, Dharamsala and Bangalore. They’re grounds that are similar to here, you’re going to have to chase and chase well.

“If you bat first 200 might not be enough. So you’ve really got to be disciplined and adapt to the conditions over there.”

Although his record-breaking partnership with Maxwell earned him the man of the match award, Warner insisted there was plenty of room for he and his teammates to improve ahead of the World Twenty20.

“We don’t go out to set any records … obviously it’s a great achievement,” he added.

“The disappointing thing from our end is … neither one of us were there at the end. That’s the negative but the plus side is we won.”

The Proteas have also been tinkering with their batting lineup in preparation for India 2016, moving AB de Villiers up to open with Quinton de Kock.

The ploy hasn’t paid off so far this series, with AB making a duck in Durban and 13 in Jo’burg, but du Plessis insisted the South African brains trust were committed to the plan.

“We decided on AB at the top a while ago and to change that would be a sign of panic,” he said.

“I think our strongest team is with AB at the top in India. If the World Cup was in South Africa the thinking would be different.”

It is expected that Hashim Amla will start in place of de Kock in Cape Town, while Aaron Phangiso could also play if his bowling action is declared legal following tests on Monday.

Match predictions

Result – Australia to win ($2 at William Hill)
Man of the match – James Faulkner ($17 at William Hill)

With both sides likely to shuffle their squads and give the fringe players a run before the Twenty20 World Cup, it won’t be easy to tip a winner at Newlands.

One thing you bank on, however, is that the Aussies will be eager to keep the momentum going after snapping their six-match losing streak in T20 cricket.

Faulkner should keep his spot after an excellent bowling display on his return from a hamstring injury, and he is good value for the man of the match gong at $17 odds.

AB de Villiers betting markets

Much has been said about AB’s returns at the top of the order this series.

The South African superstar has mustered a grand total of 13 runs in two matches against Australia, leaving some observers to wonder about his suitability for the role.

The Proteas selectors clearly have their sights on the World T20, where they feel de Villiers – a perennial match-winner in the Indian Premier League – will do the most damage if he gets to the crease as soon as possible.

It’s difficult to dispute that logic, but it remains to be seen whether the AB experiment will bear any fruit before the squad heads to the subcontinent.

Man of the match – $9

Top South Africa batsman – $3.75

To score 50 runs or more – $4.65

To score 10.5 runs or less – $2.88

Under/over 2.5 fours – $1.77/$1.97

Under/over 0.5 sixes – $1.88/$1.85

Odds provided by www.Sportsbet.com