India v South Africa - 2nd ODI

By Crafty Stan

Wednesday 24th February 2009, 09:00 GMT

After an exhilarating first ODI which was won by the finest of margins by the Indians it is hard to work out who takes the most momentum through to the next game given that South Africa produced a back from the dead performance to nearly steal the win. I personally feel that the South Africans realise that if Kallis would have gotten some more middle-order support then they could have gotten home easily even chasing such a total.

Any of you following the trading room for the first game will have noted that I picked the South African's to win but due to the nature of the game still managed to nick a few quid and could have took a hell of a lot more out of it were I to have to the foresight to have stuck a speculatory lay in at 1.01 on the Indians to give a good trading position for the fight back. But anyway no more crying over spilled milk, a profit is a profit and I'll take it any day of the week.

Back to this game. I see South Africa only shortening up for this one given that you would have to expect an improvement from their under-performing batters (Kallis excepted) and the expected inclusion of the classy and in-form Amla will only strengthen the Saffer’s case. There are loads of firms going even money for South Africa here which is actually a slight arb with the free market on Betfair right now so there are a few firms taking a view or being too slow to cut the Saffers (take whichever opinion you fancy) but the fact is the even money has to be value because as I stated in the trading room for the first game I felt South Africa should have been favourites and nothing has changed my mind with a one-run defeat.

Accordingly with the match prices being out of joint, other markets are too such as the first fifteen overs.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

3 Points South Africa @ 2 (Bet365, Totesport, Boylesports)

2 Points South Africa Highest Fifteen Over score @ 2.25 (Boylesports)

Crafty Stan