Ireland v South Africa First T20I: 3 Bets to Take

Ireland take on South Africa in the first of two T20Is this evening at the County Ground in Bristol. The Proteas come into this game full of confidence off the back of successive wins over England to seal a 2-1 series win.

With South Africa being such overwhelming favourites for this match at 1.15, I’ll be focusing on the players to bet on.

Tabraiz Shamsi

Tabraiz Shamsi took his first five-wicket haul in this format on Sunday to add to his figures of 3-27 three days earlier, bouncing back from figures of 0/49 from three overs at this venue at the start of the series. South Africa’s bowling hopes could well lie with both him and Lungi Ngidi, who took 5-39 at this venue in the game against England. I’m backing Shamsi to run through the Irish batsmen who have been out of form in recent matches.

Suggested Bet: T Shamsi to be SA’s top bowler 3.25

Value Bet: T Shamsi to be the player of the match at 11.00

Rilee Rossouw

Rilee Rossouw will be eager to make a statement after having a decent series against England where he scored a match-winning 96* off 55 balls to level the series for the Proteas. He comes into this game in fantastic form and has a lot of value at 5.00.

Suggested Bet: R Rossouw to be SA’s top batsman 5.00

Opening Partnership

In the first T20I against England at this venue, the Proteas lost Quinton de Kock early but still managed to have a decent powerplay. De Kock will be eager to get amongst the runs and I expect him to be amongst the runs in this match alongside an in-form Reeza Hendricks. Back South Africa to have the highest opening partnership.

Suggested Bet: SA to have a higher opening partnership 1.64