At the start of 2022, very few cricket fans would have given South Africa a chance of glory at this year’s World Cup. The side was struggling in the shorter formats and was still looking for effective replacements for recently retired players.
All that has changed after a positive tour of England. The test team are currently tackling the red ball leg of that tour but the ODI and T20 squads have already made their mark.
Successful Series
Both the ODI and T20i series between England and South Africa featured a best-of-three format. The One Day Internationals ended in a 1-1 scoreline after rain ruined any chance of a result in the final match.
The teams then contested the T20 series and the South Africans came out on top by two games to one. David Miller’s side lost the opening encounter in Bristol, but they responded positively, levelling at 1-1 before recording an emphatic 90-run win in the final match at the Rose Bowl.
It’s worth remembering that England are 50-Over World Champions and they also reached the semi-finals of the T20 tournament when it was last held in 2021.
All Eyes on the World Cup
There will be more games to play between now and the start of the T20 World Cup in October, but the 16 qualified teams will be starting their preparations for the big event. It runs from October 16th to November 13th with Australia as the hosts and the defending champions.
With home advantage a potential factor, Australia are one of three joint-favourites in the World Cup winner markets. England and India are the teams joining them at the top of the betting.
As for South Africa, David Miller’s men are among a chasing pack that includes New Zealand and Pakistan.
Those odds are supplied by online sports betting sites in Vietnam, as sourced by Asiabet. Cricket has a huge following in Asia, due mainly to the presence of some of the best teams in the sport.
The market may originate from Vietnam but it’s reflected all over the world. The favourites are in a strong position but those odds are subject to change in the lead-up to the tournament. Any updates that do come in will adjust the betting and they will be listed on the Asiabet website.
While here, readers can take their time to assess the figures while digesting any news and opinion articles that have been published. It’s also possible to get involved with World Cup betting.
Each sportsbook linking in will be ready to take on new customers. On completion of a quick and secure sign up form, it’s likely that there will be a generous welcome package waiting on the other side.
Opening bets will need to be funded and a range of deposit methods can help with that. If there are any issues at any stage, customer services are on hand to iron them out.
As the account moves forward, additional benefits may include mobile betting, in-play markets and the potential to live stream top-class cricket.
It’s the logical site to follow the World Cup from a betting point of view, but does South Africa have what it takes to cause an upset at this year’s tournament?
Key Players for South Africa
In the batting department, the South Africans have a good mix of power hitters and patient accumulators. Opener Quinton de Kock will be responsible for getting the team off to a fast start while skipper David Miller can push the total on in the death overs.
The bowling attack features some serious pace in the shape of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje. Both men are effective in all formats and will be responsible for claiming some early wickets throughout the tournament.
South Africa is well served in the spin department too with Keshav Maharajj and Tabraiz Shamsi the bowlers most likely to start. Maharaj is an orthodox left arm bowler while Shamsi adds some mystery wrist spin into the mix.
The side has some good balance in all areas. South Africa may have gone under the radar but those wins in England suggest that we should take the team seriously when the 2022 World Cup gets underway.
