South Africa vs Australia 2nd ODI – 4/3/2020

South Africa vs Australia 2nd ODI Preview – Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Team News and Predictions – 4/3/2020

After being beaten in the preceding T20I series, South Africa sprung somewhat of a surprise in the latest odds for the first ODI by downing the Australians. The teams now head to Bloemfontein, where cricket predictions have the hosts taking an unassailable series lead or the visitors squaring things up.

We’ve got the team news and some free cricket betting tips for you, as Aaron Finch and Quinton de Kock’s men clash again. South Africa vs Australia is among cricket’s oldest rivalries and in T20 World Cup year, their head-to-head battle in limited-overs cricket is particularly intriguing.

South Africa vs Australia 2nd ODI – Match Preview

Where: Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein

When: Wednesday, 4 March 2020

Pitch conditions: This series continues to be played across South Africa’s smaller venues. The Mangaung Oval is a minor international venue in the country – and has only seen the Proteas lose one ODI in their last 10 here. The recent ODi history in Bloemfontein has definitely favoured the team batting first. The team batting second have lost the last six ODIs here. This isn’t a good ground for chasing totals.

Weather conditions: Landlocked and hours away from the ocean, Bloemfontein is traditionally dry and hot. A high of 29 degrees Celsius is expected on Wednesday, with no rain forecast.

Start Time: 16:30 (IST), 11:00 (GMT)

South Africa vs Australia 2nd ODI – Latest Odds

Now, bet365 have priced South Africa and Australia at 2.75 and 1.44, respectively, in the latest ODI odds to win this match. Those are longer odds than expected for a team that won the first match comfortably. Australia are priced at 1.90 for a series win, which would mean they’d need to take the second and third ODI.

South Africa vs Australia 2nd ODI – Team News

South Africa will continue to be without fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who has been sidelined by a hamstring injury – and is in a fitness race to be ready for the start of the 2020 Indian Premier League. Elsewhere in the Proteas’ team news, they will likely retain Heinrich Klaasen and Kyle Verreynne in the middle order – and give Janneman Malan another go as opener despite his first-ball duck in the first ODI. The hosts opened the bowling with spinner Keshav Maharaj in Paarl and could be tempted to do so again, especially as Aussie opening batters Aaron Finch and David Warner really enjoy pace on the ball.

The composition of Australia‘s attack in the series opener featured two wrist spinners in Adam Zampa and D’Arcy Short. The latter might not retain his place, as the Aussies contemplate returning left-arm spinner Ashton Agar to the XI. He was in fine form in the T20Is against the South Africans. The tourists won’t fret too much with their batsmen’s lack of delivery in the opening match. Warner, Finch, Smith and the rest are backed to come good, while a seam attack fronted by Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc is challenging to say the least.

South Africa vs Australia ODI Squads

South Africa vs Australia 2nd ODI – Betting Tips and Prediction

Match handicaps, player performance and several other ODI cricket betting markets are available from bet365 for this second ODI. We’ve got some free cricket betting tips for South Africa vs Australia that will hopefully help you make an informed decision when betting on the match. Remember, the team who bats first usually wins here, so a big first-innings or a star collective performance from the bowlers first up could decide the contest.

A Hundred to be Scored in the Match

The Mangaung Oval has produced 16 centuries in its 29 ODIs. The chances of that number moving to 17 in 30 are high – and bet365 have priced a hundred to be scored in this match at 1.66. Alternatively, you can go against the grain and say ‘No’ to a ton being scored here at 2.10. Quinton de Kock struck an ODI century here against England in 2016. Four years later, he is offered at 2.75 to be South Africa’s top batsman.

Hazlewood to star for Australia

Josh Hazlewood is still pushing for a berth in Australia’s squad for the T20 World Cup later this year. His chances are slimming, but another star ODI performance will certainly keep him in the selectors’ minds. Hazlewood was a bit pricey in the series opener, but claimed the key wicket of de Kock. Hazlewood is priced at 5.00 to be the top bowler for Australia. If you want shorter odds in the same market, then Pat Cummins at 3.80 and Mitchell Starc at 3.60 are the good cricket bets.

Best Bet: A hundred to be scored in the match at 1.66 with bet365