Australia v South Africa betting tips
South Africa to Win
Aiden Markram to be Top South Africa Runscorer
Quinton de Kock to Score Over 30.5 Runs
Australia to Have Highest Score After First 15 Overs
Keshav Maharaj to be Top South Africa Wicket Taker
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Thursday 9:30am: Australia v South Africa
Cricket World Cup group match at Ekana Sports City
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket
South Africa to Win
Since the 2019 World Cup South Africa have a strong ODI record against Australia. The two have met eight times with South Africa winning six with an average margin of victory of 118 runs when batting first and six wickets when chasing. They seem on course for another victory.
Aiden Markram to be Top South Africa Runscorer
South Africa got off to the perfect start against Sri Lanka, with three batsmen scoring centuries on their way to posting the highest World Cup total ever. Aiden Markram was one player who reached three figures and he did so faster than any other batter in World Cup history.
What was equally as impressive about Markram’s innings was his control. In his initial 49 balls he played just one false stroke (a play and a miss, or an edge, for example). Over the course of his innings, his false shot percentage was just 1.9% which puts it in the top 10 most controlled ODI centuries since 2006.
Only compatriot AB de Villiers has scored a more controlled World Cup century. It was a true masterclass of brutal power and control. Markram is well-set to carry on this form and be South Africa’s top run-scorer against Australia.
Quinton de Kock to Score Over 30.5 Runs
Quinton de Kock was one of South Africa’s other centurions against Sri Lanka centurions, and his rich vein of form is likely to continue. Following his 100* last week he now averages 63.45 in List-A cricket in India.
Interestingly, on the five occasions De Kock has passed 50 in the country he has converted to triple figures every single time. When he gets in, he goes big. De Kock to score over 30.5 is worth a look.
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Australia to Have Highest Score After First 15 Overs
Australia is well known for its group of brilliant fast bowlers, and in this World Cup cycle they have continued to perform outstandingly. In the powerplay, Australian fast bowlers hit a good line and length with 42% of their deliveries bowled, which is higher than any other nation.
Their average speed with the new ball in the powerplay is also 136kph, which is faster than any other nation. This devastating combination of speed and accuracy at the top of the innings will make life very tough for South Africa’s batters.
As such, Australia to have the highest score from the first 15 overs is a good shout.
Keshav Maharaj to be Top South Africa Wicket Taker
Australia were at the mercy of Ravindra Jadeja in their opening match, with the experienced left-arm spinner regularly challenging both edges. South Africa have a similarly experienced left-arm spinner in their ranks in Keshav Maharaj.
In 2023, against slow left-armers Australia average just 25. Only Afghanistan have a lower average against this bowling type in this period. As such, Maharaj is in pole position to exploit Australia’s collective weakness and be his side’s top wicket-taker.
Australia v South Africa cricket tips
South Africa to Win
Aiden Markram to be Top South Africa Runscorer
Quinton de Kock to Score Over 30.5 Runs
Australia to Have Highest Score After First 15 Overs
Keshav Maharaj to be Top South Africa Wicket Taker
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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