Bests Bets for the Cricket Weekend: The Proteas, England & More

There’s a lot of international cricket for you to punt on this weekend. The Proteas will be looking to bounce back after losing to Ireland for the first time while England take on Pakistan in the first T20I of the three-match series. Aaron Finch’s Australia will be looking to end the series on a high in the fifth T20I against the West Indies.

We’ve created the best bets to take for this weekend’s cricket.

Ireland v South Africa

Ireland have the chance to record their first-ever ODI series win against a top-ten ranked nation after beating the Proteas for the first time in the second ODI. Captain, Andy Balbirnie registered his seventh ODI century and will be looking for another stellar batting performance from his side.

The Proteas will be eager to bounce back and avoid an embarrassing series defeat. Not only did just two Proteas’ batsmen register a score over 25 (Janneman Malan with 84 and Rassie van der Dussen’s 49), but no Ireland bowler went for over 5.50 runs per over. Malan’s 84 off 96 balls was the only positive to take from a very poor performance from the Proteas’ batsmen. I expect the South African batsmen to show more intensity and application while also taking advantage of the good batting conditions in Malahide.

Suggested Bet: Balbirnie to be Ireland’s top batsman 3.75

Suggested Bet: A hundred to be scored in the match 1.80

England v Pakistan

England take on Pakistan in the first T20I at Trent Bridge. They have recalled nine players from those forced to self-isolate prior to the ODI series. Those include their captain, Eion Morgan Jason Roy, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow. Ben Stokes. who led the successful ‘makeshift’ team, is being rested. Eoin Morgan’s men top the ICC rankings, they’ve also won eight out of their last ten T20I series and I expect them to get off to a winning start at Trent Bridge.

Pakistan will be looking for much improved performances in this series as they face a much stronger English team. Babar Azam will be coming into this series on the back of a majestic 158 in the previous ODI. The Pakistan captain currently sits at number two in the ICC T20I batsmen rankings and I’m backing him to produce the goods for his team once again.

Suggested Bet: England to win 1.51

Suggested Bet: Babar Azam to be Pakistan’s top batsman 2.80

West Indies v Australia (TBC)