South Africa vs England 1st ODI – 4/2/2020

South Africa vs England 1st ODI Preview – Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Team News and Predictions – 4/2/2020

South Africa going into the first of three ODIs with a new captain, several new caps at the ready and a point to prove on the back of a three-one Test series drubbing at the hands of England.

England are, of course, the reigning World Cup champions – and fared pretty well in two warm-up fixtures against a Cricket South Africa Invitatation XI ahead of Tuesday’s series opener.

The venue for the series opener is Newlands, where England have never beaten South Africa in an ODI. South Africa have actually only lost three of their last 20 ODIs in Cape Town.

South Africa vs England 1st ODI – Match Preview

Where: Newlands, Cape Town

When: Tuesday, 4 February 2020

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

South Africa vs England 1st ODI – Latest Odds

Bet365 have South Africa and England priced at 2.30 and 1.61, respectively, to win the first ODI. They have also put out some really good individual markets across the top batsmen and top bowler.

South Africa vs England 1st ODI – Team News

Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has been declared fit to play. He missed the Test series due to injury, but recently returned to competitive cricket in domestic cricket and impressed. Uncapped seamer Sisanda Magala has remained with the squad despite not being fully fit.

A string of T20I cricketers have been included in the ODI squad for the first time. Batsman Janneman Malan, spinner Bjorn Fortuin and fast bowler Lutho Sipamla are among these. Of the three, Malan is arguably the most exciting prospect and might open the batting alongside de Kock.

There is no du Plessis or Kagiso Rabada in this squad, so the likes of David Miller in the middle order and Ngidi with the new ball are really going to have to step up if South Africa are to challenge the reigning World Cup champions.

For England, Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy welcomed timely centuries in the warm-up fixtures – and should find themselves in the ODI XI after being snubbed for the Test series. Bairtow did play the one Test, but that was it.

The tourists have a few ODI new caps of their own, including Pat Brown, Matt Parkinson and Tom Banton, Like Malan, Banton should find himself slotting into the XI immediately. He was in good form for the Brisbane Heat in Australia’s Big Bash League – and opportunity knocks to continue.

Chris Woakes will lead a seam attack that also includes Tom Curran, Saqib Mahmood and Chris Jordan. Curran and Jordan were also at the BBL. Moeen Ali is back as a key spinning all-rounder. There’s a really good balance to this XI and squad, which will be led by Eoin Morgan again.

South Africa vs England 1st ODI – Betting Tips and Prediction

It’s tough to bet against the current World Cup champions and the team that are at the top of the International Cricket Council’s rankings for ODI teams. But South Africa have a lot of fight in them and, under new leadership and with some fresh faces, will pose a big threat to Morgan’s men.

Malan to be South Africa’s top batsman

Malan has made Newlands his home ground since moving from North West. He has starred in two Mzansi Super Leagues and will not get a chance at ODI level. Unless the Proteas opt for Reeza Hendricks, Malan should open the batting with de Kock. He enjoys pace coming onto the ball and could thrive against Woakes and Curran, especially if South Africa bat first. Bet365 have priced him at 5.00 to be South Africa’s top batsman.

Woakes to be England’s top bowler

Woakes will relish the conditions, which offer bowlers good value for extra pace and probing lines and lengths. He played in both warm-up matches in Paarl and should be geared up to take the new ball at Newlands. De Kock and Malan will take the attack to him in the opening powerplay. Woakes is offered at 4.33 to be England’s top bowler.

Best Bet: Janneman Malan at 5.00 with Betway to be South Africa’s top batsman