That Bet On South Africa Against England Looks A Touch Shaky

Image source: Dee03, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

With the Indian Premier League still fresh in the minds of some of England’s limited-overs players, Eoin Morgan’s side tour South Africa. Typically, this would be a great time to bet on South Africa. Home field advantage counts for a lot in cricket. However perhaps not this year. Those taking advantage of South African gambling laws to check out the odds on England at Bet365 will find they quite accurately reflect the team’s chances. England are looking hard to beat. 

There are those for whom the limited-overs game, be it ODI or T20, is a betrayal. They will tell you it makes a mockery of proper Test cricket. These purists will thus be aghast that there will be no test match series against South Africa. That they might have to bet on South Africa in just the shorter forms of the game. The hosts would have more chance in a Test, but not, unfortunately significantly so. Joe Root’s Test side has solidified, and even away from home can get wins.

The influence of these purists on the sport is still very much keenly felt, although times are changing. This shortened tour just one of the effects of a modernizing game. The vast majority of fans love it, in a busy world who has five days to spare? But still, you’ll find this sort of thing sneered at. Not that it’ll stop the inhabitants of Jo’burg putting a bet on South Africa to win. As a bet on sports in South Africa, it’s a great opportunity. Although a bet on England might be better.

Bet On South Africa To Win The T20 Series At Bet365

The odds on South Africa, in the first T20 match, for instance, aren’t all that good. The side has had some issues, a few cohesion problems. This means Bet365 at its ilk only give them 6/5 to win. Those unfamiliar with Cricket might see this as their having a good chance. Don’t. The price of England gets is 4/6. Spot the difference? And remember, a bet on T20 cricket is a wager on a two-horse race. There isn’t even the chance of a draw. A bet on South Africa then is to back a longshot.

1st T20 Match Odds

• South Africa – 6/5
• England – 4/6
• See more cricket odds at bet365…

England do look particularly impressive. Joe Root got 77 in an intra-squad warm-up game and he’s not even playing in the series. When you have the depth of choice to allow such omissions you’re going to be difficult to beat. Eoin Morgan’s side then look set to do well in this series. Certainly, that’s what the online betting sites in South Africa like Bet365 believe. However at those prices, a canny gambler will look for other opportunities, and the cricket provides them.

England Look Impressive Ahead Of 6 Short Form Games

The best English batsman odds in that first match, for instance, are attractive. Jos Buttler gets 3/1, which is nice. As is Ben Stokes at 6/1. Even Quinton de Kock to be the best South African with a bat is a good wager. At least a better one than picking a winner. You can even bet on South Africa to see Kagiso Rabada as its best bowler. He gets 9/4 to win that title. Although Anrich Nortje is at just 10/3 too. The English best bowler odds are a little closer making it trickier.

“To win the series is the ultimate aim, but also building towards the World Cups. In 50-over cricket we did that, that gives [us] a lot of confidence.”

• Jos Buttler (England)

Jofra Archer does get 5/2 but Adil Rashid gets 3/1 with both Jordan, Curran, and Wood all on 7/2. Deciding which of these to bet on is far tougher. The South African best bowler odds are at least distinct. So then, a bet on South Africa for the bowling and a bet on England with the bat. This will likely get you better results at online sportsbook sites in South Africa like Bet365 than simply picking who’ll win. Mostly because we all already know it’s going to be England.

Click here to visit the bet365 Sportsbook

We take a look at how a bet on South Africa might not be the best idea as England prepare for their T20 series in Cape Town.