TEST PREVIEW: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews the third Test between SOUTH AFRICA v INDIA including a recommended BETDAQ bet.

MATCH OVERVIEW:

It’s a Test series decider as the sides move to the picturesque Cape Town for a massive Test match. Just when it looked like India might steamroll South Africa to a series victory after the 1st Test, South Africa bounced back with a very gutsy performance to take the 2nd Test. Both Tests had a lot of twists and turns in-running on BETDAQ Betting Exchange, and this Test should be no different. To add further spice to the series, it looks like India’s main man Virat Kohli will return to the side too.

Winning a Test series in South Africa would be a huge achievement for this Indian side, I know South Africa aren’t the force they once were, but for India it would follow on from winning in Australia and really class them as the best Test side. I feel most of the cricket world feels they are the best side in the world right now, even though they lost the Test Championship Final last year to New Zealand. It will be very interesting to see how this Test pans out, and who bats first. Although India were very impressive in the 1st Test, they did have a massive advantage when batting first. Nobody thought the pitch would break up as it did, but batting looked extremely tough after the first day.

South Africa were the better batting unit in the 2nd Test, and you feel India will need a slight advantage in conditions again here. The reality is both batting orders look a little fragile – who isn’t on these pitches with good overhead conditions to be fair. We have everything you need for a classic Test match in front of us, and the South African unpredictable weather will keep draw backers interested too.

WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:

Newlands is a fantastic Test venue. It’s historically a result venue too. We’ve only had three draws here since 2010, and only one since 2011. South Africa have a good recent record here too, although England won the last Test here in January 2020. India actually played here in January 2018, with South Africa winning by 72 runs on a tricky deck. South Africa scored 286 & 130, with India replying with 209 and 135. We saw much higher scores when England were here last, with England declaring on 391/8 in their second innings – the third innings. It might be tricky on the opening morning, but you’d have to lean towards batting first because you don’t want to be chasing on the final day. That being said, given the bowling has been on top this series, a lot will depend on overhead conditions at the toss.

RECOMMENDED BET:

I feel like we’re in for a cracking Test match here. It should be pretty even too. With a standard Test cricket wicket, I would expect good times for batters and bowlers depending on the overhead conditions. We’ll probably see some rain at some point given the unpredictable South African weather, but I don’t think we’ll see a draw here. I do feel the draw will be “in the game” at times, but that’s more for laying in-running rather than backing as a result in my view. While India are a very strong side, they are too short for me here at 2.12. South Africa have shown they can mix it with India, and both bowling attacks have been excellent. I feel this Test will be decided by who gets the better overhead conditions to help their bowling to be honest, but the Indian lay looks the value. I expect a closer Test than 2.12 suggests.

The Edge Says:
Two points lay (liability) India to beat South Africa at 2.12 with BETDAQ Exchange.

View the market here -> https://bit.ly/BDQSaInd

IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:

The opening two Tests have been fantastic for trading, and I expect this one to be no different. We usually get a result at Newlands, so while I expect the draw to be a focus of the market throughout the Test at times, I’ll happily be against it if it goes lower. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the team batting first put up a decent score, and we’ll see pressure on the draw price. I do feel batting first will offer a little edge here, but at the same time I wouldn’t want to be on either side when batting for long – the bowling attacks look like they have the edge here. It could definitely be a case of keeping this one simple in-play – supporting the bowlers when overhead conditions are good, and then lowering stakes to support the batters when we have calm and sunny conditions. I wouldn’t be surprised to see all three results trade odds on at some point, it’s going to be a fantastic Test!