SATURDAY T20 WORLD CUP: The Edge previews New Zealand v South Africa with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
New Zealand v South Africa
MATCH OVERVIEW:
The T20 World Cup continues on Betdaq Exchange with the biggest game of Group D on Saturday. New Zealand meet South Africa in the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad to decide the group winner, with both sides already having won their first two matches. Group D was dubbed the ‘group of death’ but it hasn’t worked out that way with both sides beating Afghanistan. Both sides should qualify for the Super 8s without any drama at this stage given they have both beaten Afghanistan – they have Canada and UAE still to play. It’s a luxury position to be in, but finishing top of the group matters for seeding in the Super 8s, so there’s still plenty to play for here.
It’s been a superb World Cup so far – the smallest nations have done superbly well. However, we had the most drama in a game involving South Africa against Afghanistan in Ahmedabad in a match that will live long in the memory. We went to a Super Over after a tie, and then incredibly the first Super Over was also tied at 17 apiece after Tristan Stubbs hit a last-ball six to force a second Super Over. It was the first ever double Super Over in T20 World Cup history! Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who had already smashed 84 off 42 balls, came in needing four sixes off four balls in the second Super Over and hit three of them – absolutely outrageous hitting. He needed just a four off the last ball to force a third Super Over after a wide, but hit it straight to David Miller!
New Zealand have been quietly going about their business. It always seems the way with them and World Cup’s. They chased down Afghanistan’s 182 very easily and then hammered UAE. This game should let us know where these two sides stand heading into the Super 8’s and how deep they can actually go into the tournament.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
Ahmedabad is a cracking venue – the biggest cricket ground in the world after all. One wonders how many tickets they will sell here given India aren’t involved. Obviously they have the excuse for when the smaller sides are involved but given India is so cricket mad, surely these types of games should have a massive crowd. This is also the venue for the final by the way. South Africa have already played two games at this venue – posting 213 against Canada and then the dramatic 187 against Afghanistan. Generally conditions are very good for batting here, especially with dew – you can get a very spin friendly wicket at times as well – but I just don’t think we’ll see those type of wickets here. Given the dew factor, you’d probably want to chase in a night game here. I’d expect a high-scoring game.
RECOMMENDED BET:
It’s no surprise to see a reasonably even market here. You could say that this will be the first majorly competitive market between two big sides at this World Cup. I know West Indies beat England on Wednesday, but England went into that game as the heavy favourites. South Africa are slight favourites in the betting which is hard to argue with given their talent – they have had an incredible run recently. Finally getting the choker tag off their back in the World Test Championship. New Zealand have been clinical and efficient. Two wins from two, no drama, no fuss – classic New Zealand. Surely those two Super Overs would have taken their toll mentally on South Africa too. I can see a very close game here, and I’m happy with a small bet on New Zealand as the outsiders.
The Edge Says:
One point win New Zealand to beat South Africa at 2.06 with Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/WCNeSo
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
This should be a cracker, and I’d expect the market to bounce around quite a bit in-running. The dew factor will be important – I’d probably lean towards the chasing side but with batting conditions expected to be good I do feel we’ll see a decent first inning score too. I’d be looking to support the side batting second at the innings break. Both sides have the firepower to chase 190+, and I do feel this will be a game to support the batters for most of it.
