THE EDGE: The Edge previews the Cricket World Cup clash between NEW ZEALAND v SOUTH AFRICA with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
New Zealand v South Africa
MATCH OVERVIEW:
We should have a cracker at the Cricket World Cup on Wednesday as New Zealand meet South Africa on BETDAQ Betting Exchange. Unfortunately however, after results at the weekend the top four and thus the Semi-Finals are pretty much locked in now. Afghanistan became the latest team that could make a charge after beating Sri Lanka at the weekend, but they would have to win every game – their three fixtures left are Netherlands, Australia and South Africa. That would, in theory, put New Zealand under pressure but the reality is New Zealand probably only need one win from their three games – they have this fixture, Pakistan and Sri Lanka left.
It’s massively odds on these two will be in the Semi-Finals, and now the main focus on the final games between the big sides is giving them a mental edge when it does come to those Semi-Finals, or indeed Final. Don’t forget that the top seven plus Pakistan now qualify for the Champions Trophy now too; the ICC just threw that at us on Sunday; which was incredible really. New Zealand started this World Cup in superb form, but they come into this game off back-to-back losses against India and Australia. Those two sides were favourites to beat them – now South Africa are favourites too. In fairness to New Zealand they were two reasonably close games – they got closest to India so far anyway!
South Africa have been the surprise of this World Cup. Not really fancied coming into it, even lost to the Netherlands in the early stages of the tournament but massive wins over Australia and England obviously gave them huge confidence. They crawled over the line against Pakistan which is a great boost for them mentality as they do carry that chokers tag. We have a fascinating game here, especially considering this could easily be a Semi-Final in a few weeks.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
We’re back at Pune and so far we’ve had two low scores here. Bangladesh managed 256/8 and lost to India while Sri Lanka posted 241 all out and lost to Afghanistan on Monday. Pune is usually a chasing ground at the IPL, but we all know conditions during the day in India are very different. I think based on what we’ve saw so far though you have to bowl first if you win the toss. This is such a close game the toss edge might actually decide it. Interestingly though when England toured here the series was very high scoring; that hasn’t worked out at the World Cup so far.
RECOMMENDED BET:
We’ve had a few clear favourites over the weekend, and South Africa trade favourites here at 1.75. Neither side has really put a foot wrong throughout the World Cup – everyone will have their off days of course but both sides have been fantastic. I feel New Zealand are worth a small bet at 2.3 here. I know the South African batting is firing at the moment but if New Zealand can bowl first I think they have a superb chance. I would wait and confirm the toss news before getting involved in the market but I just expect a closer game than the odds suggest here. I know New Zealand haven’t got the star batters like the other sides, but they have a fantastic team who know how to play at major tournaments.
The Edge Says:
Two points win New Zealand (if they bowl first) to beat South Africa at 2.3 with Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/NzlSou
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
As mentioned above, I think the best in-play edge here will be supporting the side that bowls first. Chasing is a great idea here at the IPL, and so far we’ve had two chasing sides win from the two games here. Scoring seems difficult in the day time based off the two games too, and I can see the biggest edge coming from bowling first. In a close game, I actually feel the toss goes a long way to deciding this game.
