Australian pacemen just what Sri Lanka’s battling batsmen don’t want to face at The Oval tonight
With 18 wickets between them, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are ready to feast on Sri Lanka, according to our punting guru Jamie Tate. And could this finally be the time for South Africa?
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Australia’s two-headed monster has its eyes on Sri Lanka.
Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have already devoured Afghanistan, West Indies and Pakistan and the battling Lankans look ripe for the picking on a green-tinged pitch at The Oval.
Each has nine wickets from four games while the other six bowlers Australia have used have returned just 13 wickets between them.
As great as Starc and Cummins have been, the lack of firepower among the support crew is alarming.
Sri Lanka showed in its opening game against New Zealand that its batsmen have little appetite for run-scoring against hostile bowling. The Kiwis fired out the Lankans for a lacklustre 136.
More of the same could unfold tonight.
The tournament has been plagued by foul weather and washouts. Already the semi-finalists look locked — New Zealand, England, India and Australia — though we are yet to reach the halfway stage of the preliminary rounds.
We need some upsets to spark things up, just not at in this clash.
Leading wicket-takers after 19 games: Mohammad Amir (Pak) 10; Pat Cummins (Aust), Mitchell Starc (Aust), Jofra Archer (Eng) 9; Lockie Ferguson (NZ) 8; Mark Wood (Eng), Matt Henry (NZ) 7.
SUGGESTED BET
1 unit on Pat Cummins to take the most wickets for Australia at $3.75.
It’s a two-horse race here between Cummins and Mitchell Starc. Injuries never seem to be too far away for Starc, unfortunately, and on Wednesday night his left elbow was heavily strapped. That tips this contest in Cummins’ favour.
TAB odds (most wickets for Australia tonight): Starc $3.50; Cummins $3.75; Jason Behrendorff, Adam Zampa $5; Kane Richardson, Nathan Coulter-Nile $5.50; Nathan Lyon $6; Glenn Maxwell $8; Aaron Finch $21.
South Africa has been the biggest disappointment of the World Cup.
The Proteas started the tournament ranked No.3 in the world, but need to miraculously reverse their lamentable form and win all five of their remaining games to make the semi-finals.
It won’t happen.
Afghanistan hasn’t posted a decent score for its spinners to defend. Their three innings to date have been 207 (against Australia), 152 (Sri Lanka) and 172 (New Zealand).
South Africa will win this, but Proteas fans shouldn’t get too excited.
SUGGESTED BET
1 unit on Kagiso Rabada to take the most wickets for South Africa at $4.
Afghanistan’s batsmen don’t like heat and Rabada can breathe fire. He’s our man.
TAB odds (most wickets for South Africa tonight): Rabada $4; Imran Tahir, Lungi Ngidi $4.30; Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris $5; Beuran Hendricks, Tabraiz Shamsi $5.50; Dwaine Pretorius $6; JP Duminy $11; Aiden Markram $13.
THE WASH-UP
Game 19: England v West Indies
1 unit on Oshane Thomas to take the most wickets for the West Indies at $4.
The Windies only took two England wickets, both to Shannon Gabriel. Thomas finished with 0-43 off six overs.
1 unit on Ben Stokes to top score for England at $8.50.
Stokes was given a chance at No.4 and finished 10 not out. Joe Root topped England’s batting with an unbeaten 100.
TOURNAMENT BALANCE: +2.32 units
Originally published as Australian pacemen just what Sri Lanka’s battling batsmen don’t want to face at The Oval tonight
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