2nd ODI: Australia vs South Africa
One Day cricket heads to the Adelaide Oval as Australia continue to hurt.
Their thrashing by the Proteas in the first One Day International has led to a damning review in more ways than one, as they head into a decisive second round of the three-game series.
SBOBET fans who have long followed the fortunes of Australian cricket know that it would be unwise to ever rule them out. But they also will know that these are no ordinary times as far as Australia and ODIs are concerned.
Talking Points
Where do you start? Well, that depends on which perspective you are coming from!
If you are of a South African persuasion, you can’t help but be impressed by their display in Perth—undoubtedly one of the ODI 2018 highlights in cricketing terms wherever you are in the world.
They now head to the Adelaide Oval with the chance to clinch the series in double-quick time.
The Proteas were largely untroubled as they claimed a six-wicket win in the first ODI, a result that was a little flattering for the hosts who were bowled out for a paltry 152 before an opening partnership of 94 from Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks put to bed any talk of a tricky surface.
After coasting to victory with 124 balls to spare—and with master fast bowler Dale Steyn at the top of his game and spearheading probably the world’s best bowling unit—they will clearly be favourites again.
In stark contrast, if you are Australian, the picture is far from pretty.
Being bowled out for 152 is bad enough, but not as bad as seven straight defeats in the one-day format. In fact, that skid is now the nation’s longest ever losing run.
It gets worse. The record also shows17 losses in the 19 ODIs played since a series win over Pakistan at the start of last year.
They also lacked a couple of steady, accumulator-style batsmen in Perth. Players who—when they collapsed to 3-9—they could call upon to revert to old-school Test-style batting, bunkering down for an hour or so and halting the Proteas’ charge.
On a possibly bright note for the hosts, Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar are in the frame for selection following their absence from the series opener.
Added to that, there is a chance, however slim, that the influential Shaun Marsh could return from injury to bolster their struggling batting line-up and add some much-needed experience.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Australia without some drama. This week has also seen Pat Howard become the latest senior figure to leave Cricket Australia.
They could do without such distractions, as the sideshow which has tainted the national game and lasted for more than six months continues.
Right now, the Aussies look a long way from becoming an elite one-day international side. However, one win could turn things around and restore confidence.
Could this really be that occasion?
History
The first ODI result not only stretched Australia’s extraordinary slump in that format (they have just three wins from their past 20 completed matches) but also stretched South Africa’s winning streak over the world champions in the 50-over format to seven matches.
Indeed, with the recent home Test series victory, some are suggesting a massive power shift with the Aussies no longer ruling the roost.
Since the one-day clashes began in 1992, Australia have a slight edge with 47 victories to South Africa’s 46 and three draws.
It could barely be closer.
South Africa’s 196-run victory in Cape Town in 2006 remains the largest ever winning margin, with Australia’s own record coming three years later in Durban when they secured a 141-run success.
You have to go back to Bloemfontein and 1994 for the closest ODI between these countries as Australia nicked it by a solitary run.
What are the odds?
Considering the form and given that the South Africans are the fourth best team in the world at One Day cricket compared to the Aussies in seventh (according to the official world rankings), it’s quite surprising to see the ODI 2018 betting odds edge towards a home win.
Asian Handicap offers odds on Australia Draw No Bet @ 1.80, while you can get the same Asian Handicap bet on South Africa at 2.08.
While I expect this to be a lot closer than the Perth match-up, I’m plumping for the latter. I believe South Africa have enough to take down Australia, even if the Aussies have the home advantage and a boost from the return of some players.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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