logo
Proteas are still underdogs for T20 series decider against Australia

Proteas are still underdogs for T20 series decider against Australia

The Citizen15 hours ago
Data analysts saw the SA team's victory in Darwin earlier this week as a flash in the pan.
If you believe the Proteas showed their true capabilities when they beat Australia in the second T20I – and that they'll go on to clinch the series – you could translate your hunch into a cash profit.
You'll be out of synch with mainstream thinking on the third and final match of the series, but who cares if it you end up richer?
Most pundits reckon South Africa's 53-run victory in Darwin earlier this week was an aberration, a blip on the Aussies' otherwise superb record. So, odds on Australia to win the decider in Cairns on Saturday are 1.45, while SA is in the wilderness at 2.80.
Long-term stats
Didn't the punters and the bookies see Dewald Brevis smashing a record-breaking 125 to set up his side for the win? Didn't they see the Proteas attack skittle the Aussies?
They did, but big players in the gambling business rely more on long-term stats than possible one-off flashes of brilliance. The number crunchers will inevitably go back to Australia's T20 unbeaten run of nine games before that Darwin donnering.
SA fans can exploit this bias if their youthful team's obvious potential is realised with a landmark series win Down Under.
Other bets on offer
The prevailing sentiment carries through into all categories of wager being offered.
Under top batsman, the first Proteas name to appear is captain Aiden Markram in sixth place at odds of 6.50. Topping that list is Travis Head at 5.40. Tuesday's hero Brevis is available at 7.75, while fellow young gun Lhuan-Dre Pretorius is 11.00 to be the day's top scorer.
It's a similar situation with the top bowler, with Kagiso Rabada the top South African, in a lowly sixth place on 5.40.
Betway odds are correct at time of publishing and subject to change.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'I can't save him,' says Gavin Hunt as bad boy Mahlambi pops up at Durban City
'I can't save him,' says Gavin Hunt as bad boy Mahlambi pops up at Durban City

The Star

time4 hours ago

  • The Star

'I can't save him,' says Gavin Hunt as bad boy Mahlambi pops up at Durban City

Phakamani Mahlambi has resurfaced in the Betway Premiership, with Durban City FC handing the troubled forward a trial as he looks to rescue a career that once promised to light up South African football. The 27-year-old has been without a club for nearly four years, his last top-flight appearance coming in September 2021 for Chippa United. That outing — a second-half cameo in a 2-1 defeat to Stellenbosch FC — ended with a torn Achilles tendon, cutting short his season and sparking a long spell on the sidelines. For Mahlambi, whose raw pace and flair once made him the country's most exciting young attacker, the fall from grace has been steep. His professional debut came under Gavin Hunt at Bidvest Wits in the 2015/16 season, and within two years, he was securing a dream move to Egyptian giants Al Ahly. But his time in North Africa lasted just one season before returning home to join Mamelodi Sundowns. Game time was scarce at Chloorkop, leading to a loan move to Chippa United in 2021 — where he linked up again with Hunt. Injuries, discipline issues, and inconsistency meant that momentum was never sustained. He nearly reunited with Hunt a third time at SuperSport United after a trial stint but never signed. Now, the pair find themselves together again at newly promoted Durban City, with the coach offering him a final platform to prove his worth. 'I can't revive him, he's got to revive himself, I can only give him the platform,' Hunt said after Durban City's 1-0 win over Chippa United at Chatsworth Stadium on Wednesday. 'He's like any football player — I give the platform, the opportunity, but he's young. I mean, he was the brightest talent in South Africa, wasn't he?

Dricus du Plessis booed by crowd ahead of UFC 319 fight
Dricus du Plessis booed by crowd ahead of UFC 319 fight

The South African

time6 hours ago

  • The South African

Dricus du Plessis booed by crowd ahead of UFC 319 fight

Reigning Middleweight World Champion Dricus du Plessis has shaken off the boos of a hostile crowd ahead of his fight against Khamzat Chimaev at the UFC 319 event on Saturday, 16 August. The 31-year-old South African will defend his title against his Russian opponent at the United Centre in Chicago. Last January, the Pretoria MMA fighter beat the US's Sean Strickland in a split decision to win the coveted title. A few months later, in August, he defended it against Nigerian-born fighter Israel 'Izzy' Adesanya, whom he beat via submission. Earlier this year, in February, he beat Strickland again in a rematch. On Thursday, 14 August, Dricus du Pless and Khamzat Chimaev made their appearance at a press conference ahead of their UFC 319 main event fight. Dricus – considered the underdog – was asked about his state of mind going up against the Russian fighter, who has been undefeated in his last 14 matches. The crowd consisted of fans of his opponent, who loudly booed the South African. Dricus casually stated, 'I've walked into every fight, especially as the main event, and heard this from the crowd. But guess what? I walked out the best every single time Addressing the hostile crowd, he added, 'That was one of the best boos I've heard. Well done. You'll run out of steam quickly, don't worry. I've seen this before. Remember this on Saturday.' Dricus du Plessis revealed that he was unfazed about going up against an undefeated MMA fighter. He continued: 'I'm the world champion. He hasn't fought a world champion. He's fought a former world champion, but he hasn't fought a world champion. 'Now he's coming into this fight for five rounds. I've proven that I can go crazy for one round, or I can go crazy for five rounds.' Praising his opponent, Dricus added of Khamzat Chimaev: 'He is an incredible fighter. 'Nobody's been able to beat him. It's only 14 fights, but being a title challenger in the UFC, and no one's been able to figure him out, that's impressive'. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.

Markram set to open the batting in the 2026 T20 World Cup
Markram set to open the batting in the 2026 T20 World Cup

IOL News

time6 hours ago

  • IOL News

Markram set to open the batting in the 2026 T20 World Cup

GOOD news for Proteas as Aiden Markram is set to captain the Proteas all the way to the 2026 World Cup. | BackpagePix PROTEAS T20I captain Aiden Markram confirmed that he will continue to play as an opening batter through to the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. In the shortest format of the game, the 30-year-old had been playing as a middle-order batter for the two years that former coach Rob Walter had been in charge, despite having started his career as an opening batter. The ongoing series against Australia is the first in which the right-handed batter has returned to opening batting for South Africa, a decision that all-format coach Shukri Conrad has made since taking over the T20I and ODI teams. Markram confirmed that the move to the top of the order is not temporary and explained that it is also pushed by the nature of the batters that are currently in the team. Having been a viable fifth bowling option as well for the past couple of years, the 30-year-old did not confirm whether or not he will continue playing that role, although he finds it exciting. "Going through our squads and the players that we've got around, we think probably that's the best fit. We've got some guys in the middle order that are a lot more destructive than myself and we feel probably it's better off for myself and Ricks (ryan Rickelton) to be up top," Markram told the media on Friday. "I did it a bit at the IPL, starting to do it now again at international cricket. It's an exciting role. It's always nice to bat in the power play, and the focus is to get the team off to good starts. "I don't know (if I will bowl as well). It's very much a feel thing. It's quite a daunting task, to be honest. You just see the ball flying nowadays, and you're like, I'm not so sure I really want to be a bowler. But there'll be occasions where you feel like the wicket might be on the slower side or might offer something, and you sort of take that punt. "But the other way I try to operate is just go on my gut feel, whatever my gut's telling me in the moment, run with that and back that and sort of reflect on what could have been and what should have been possibly after the game."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store