The Proteas face a huge second match this week with India also pressed into action again. New Zealand also take on Bangladesh ahead of another full weekend programme.
Wednesday 11 October
India 1/11 | Tie 25/1 | Afghanistan 7/1 (10:30)
India pummelled Australia in their first outing and will not have thoughts of anything but a win against Afghanistan.
Afghanistan lost their opening match after a disappointing batting effort left them exposed against Bangladesh.
India drop in at the Arun Jaitley Stadium which saw over 700 runs scored on it in the last outing there.
Afghanistan don’t look like a team that can trade blows with India on a high-scoring track.
Verdict: India to score the highest opening partnership 5/10
India should canter to victory here. The lack of value in the Indian win means we’ll fall back onto and old favourite – get on India to score the highest opening partnership at 5/10.
Thursday 12 October
Australia 67/100 | Tie 25/1 | South Africa 12/10 (10:30)
South Africa blasted a World Cup record score in their first match and take on a reeling Australia second up.
Australia will want to turn things around against a team they have often done well against at the World Cup.
South Africa did win their last ODI clash and are on a three-match winning streak against the men from Downunder, they also won the last time these two teams met at the Cricket World Cup.
Australia posted the second-lowest total batting first in the tournament to date and have struggled to accommodate returning players.
Verdict: South African 12/10
Some really nice value here on the Proteas – who were red-hot with the bat in their opener – to get the job done against the Aussies.
Friday 13 October
New Zealand 34/100 | Tie 25/1 | Bangladesh 23/10 (10:30)
New Zealand have enjoyed an easing into their Cricket World Cup experience after facing a flat England to start and following that up with a walloping of the Dutch.
The Black Caps have already played twice and will become among the first teams to play three times when they take on Bangladesh, who have also been in action twice.
Bangladesh may have won their opener, but they were well-beaten by England last time out and by extension, should struggle to match New Zealand.
The top order of the Kiwis should give them a considerable edge with the good surfaces rolled out, making life tough for all but the most brilliant bowlers.
Vercit: New Zealand 34/100
The Black Caps have been brilliant thus far and should get over the line against Bangladesh without having to get out of third gear.
