Crciket World Cup - South Africa v West Indies

The first big match up of the Cricket World Cup commences on Thursday with South Africa taking on the West Indies.

The form that South Africa take into the tournament is the strongest they could have realistically hoped for. A 3-2 home win over India showed us all that’s there to like about Grame Smith’s side, with South Africa won both their warm up games, including a comprehensive defeat of Australia. South Africa have also won their last 11 games against the West Indies (the fact that it’s 3-2 on neutral venues is ignored here)

Amla - Has been given a generously short target by Ladbrokes

In the batting department, Jacuqes Kallis has returned to the squad in time to make the game and he showed some good form when he got on top of the Australian attack with an attacking 46 in the warm-up. De Villiers scored only 114 runs in the five matches against India recently but he might find things more to his liking having had a small break and abouncy pitch should not hold too many fears if at his best.

As far as bowling is concerned, South Africa are in nice shape.  Steyn, Morkel and Tsotsobe have all shown promise with the ball and their form is good going into the World Cup. They also have a cracking spinner in the shape of Imran Tahir. He has an impressive tally of wickets in his first class and list A matches and has already settled into the squad.

The pitch has a massive part to play here, with the Kotla Stadium having not hosted an international since December 2009 when a dangerous pitch forced the ODI between India and Sri Lanka to be abandoned after 23 overs. Despite those measures taken, the pitch should offer plenty of bounce and seam which will help bowlers on both sides.

The West Indies are not in such great form .They have slipped below Bangladesh in the ODI rankings to ninth spot following defeats to Canada and Ireland while losing to nil in Series against Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

They’ve have the batting attack to go far here with Chris Gayle, Shiv Chanderpaul, Dwanye Bravo and Kieron Pollard to hit the runs. However injury problems will hit them hard with wicketkeeper-batsman Carlton Baugh and Adrian Barath being ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury each.

The fiery speedster from Barbados, Kemar Roach will spearhead the West Indian bowling attack along with the right handed medium pacer Ravi Rampaul. Roach and Dwayne Bravo should be able to use the pitch but the likes of Rampaul and Sulimann Benn may struggle for pace here.

To sum up, only seriously short prices have put me off backing the South Africans. They come here perfectly prepared, fit and with a pitch that should suit their two best bowlers. The West Indies are a talented side with explosive bursts but they’ve been in terrible form and the Proteas’ bowling attack can subdue the fiery big hitters, with the batsmen likely to make a solid start too.

Advice

3 pts fall of 1^st South African wicket at over 29.5 runs (5/6 Ladbrokes)

2 pts Hashim Amla to score over 28.5 runs (5/6 Ladbrokes)