Group B is just about sealed after England defeated West Indies at Chennai in a battle of pressure. West Indies will have good cause to be disappointed with themselves after requiring 22 runs from 9 overs with 4 wickets in hand. Their loss meant that England are not knocked out. What it also meant, is that Bangladesh will have to pull off an absolute miracle against South Africa if they want to progress to the next stage. How likely is that? *insert wisecrack here*
Most runs scored
South Africa’s batting is still not entirely convincing. It leaves people to wonder what happens if Amla, Kallis and de Villiers ALL fail on a particular day. Duminy showed a little bit of what, in the last game. du Plessis has not got enough overs to show his batting prowess. But what will particularly be worrying them is the dismal form of Graeme Smith. They haven’t been able to get good starts at the top, but the promotion of van Wyk to number 3 seemed to work well towards ensuring that. Nevertheless, South Africa will be feeling good about their chances in this world cup and look to show that through their batting.
Bangladesh have been impressive. Their top order is a secure one but is not quite backed up well enough after number 5 and 6; and that is big worry considering how South Africa can potentially run through their top order, with the new ball, in very little time. The likes of Shakib al Hasan and Mushifiqur Rahim will play a vey important role. The top 3 looks good.
Available odds: Amla @ 3.75; de Villiers @ 4.50; Kallis/Smith @ 5.00; Duminy @ 6.50; Tamim Iqbal @ 4.33; Imrul Kayes @ 4.50; Siddique @ 6.00
that_guy’s picks: Amla @ 3.75; Tamim Iqbal @ 4.33
Most wickets
Nothing needs to be said about South Africa’s bowling. Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Kallis are good enough to run through the Bangladesh batting line-up. However, for formality’s sake, throwing in Botha and Peterson into that mix only makes them more formidable.
Bangladesh will bank on their spinners again. Theirs has been a similar story to Zimbabwe’s, where the spinners are extremely hard to get by but somehow end up conceding a few extra runs after which the pace attack lets them down terribly. Against a side of South Africa’s stature, the Bangladeshi bowling will really have to step up to the plate; and they’re perfectly capable of doing that. Razzak, Shakib and Naeem Islam hold fort for Bangladesh.
Available odds: Steyn @ 3.00; Morkel @ 4.33; Botha/Peterson @ 5.00; Razzak/Shakib @ 3.75; Naeem Islam @ 4.00
that_guy’s picks: Morkel @ 4.33; Naeem Islam @ 4.00
Match result
People might expect Bangladesh’s desperation to go through to the next stage to give them a huge boost, but in all honesty, they’re just not good enough to beat this South African side. South Africa to win. Nonchalance is the order of the day.
Available odds: South Africa @ 1.17; Bangladesh @ 5.00
that_guy’s pick: South Africa @ 1.17
[All odds taken from 888sport]