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Both these two sides are coming off the back of victories against Nepal and Sri Lanka respectively and the winner here would go clear at the top of their group in what is likely to be a low-scoring game.
DATE & TIME: Saturday 8th June, 2024: USA (WST) – 7:30am / USA (CST) – 9:30am / USA (EST) – 10:30am / UK – 3:30pm / India – 8:00pm / South Africa – 4:30pm / Pakistan – 7:30pm / Bangladesh – 8:30pm / Sunday 9th June, 2024: Australia – 12:30am
VENUE: Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York, USA
WEATHER: Dry but cloudy with sunny intervals and temperatures of around 25c.
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: USA – Willow TV / West Indies – ESPN Caribbean / UK – Sky Sports / South Africa – SuperSport / Pakistan – PTV Sports & TEN Sports / India – Star Sports / Bangladesh – Disney Star
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: USA – Willow TV website / West Indies – ESPN Play Caribbean app / UK – Sky Go / South Africa – SuperSport app / Pakistan – Myco & Tamasha / India – Disney+Hotstar / Bangladesh – Disney+Hotstar / Australia – Amazon Prime Video
NETHERLANDS FORM: O’DOWD DRAGS NETHERLANDS OVER THE LINE AGAINST NEPAL
World Cup veterans Netherlands were given a real run for their money by Nepal, who defended their score of 106 valiantly, but ultimately the under-par total cost them, as opener Max O’Dowd‘s unbeaten 54 helped see his side home, earning Netherlands a vital two points ahead of this next match.
LAST FIVE: WAWLL
SOUTH AFRICA FORM: RAIN-INTERRUPTED PREPERATION LEAVES SOUTH AFRICA POTENTIALLY UNDERCOOKED
On a difficult pitch for batting, South Africa took full advantage on Monday by bowling out Sri Lanka for 77. Their opponents struggled to handle the pace of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, who took six wickets between them, before the Proteas carefully navigated any demons in the pitch to reach their victory target in 16.2 overs.
LAST FIVE: WLLLL
NETHERLANDS BETTING ANALYSIS
On what is expected to be another tough batting surface at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, wickets should be the order of the day and bettors should take note of those most capable of extracting the most help from the pitch. Logan van Beek is one such player who could have a positive impact for Netherlands with his right-arm-pace, so consider backing him to gain over 1.5 match wickets.
It’s hard to see Max O’Dowd replicating his exploits against Nepal on a tougher pitch vs a stronger opposition bowling attack. Him and fellow opener Michael Levitt have their work cut out and backing them to accumulate a partnership of under 15.5 runs for Netherlands’ first wicket has to be favoured.
SOUTH AFRICA BETTING ANALYSIS
As is the case with Netherlands, the sensible move is to invest in the South African bowling attack to take wickets, assuming the surface in New York plays as it did in the Proteas last game and on Wednesday in the match between India and Ireland.
Anrich Nortje was almost unplayable vs Sri Lanka, conceding just seven runs and taking four wickets. It would be no surprise to see him in the wickets again and Nortje is worth backing to finish as South Africa’s top bowler for the second game running.
We also touched on Rabada earlier, whose pace also poses a nightmare for opponents with uneven bounce potentially at play. Netherlands’ players won’t be used to facing a bowler of Rabada’s speed and the 29-year-old offers good value via the ‘Bowler Milestones’ marker to take 2+ wickets.
NETHERLANDS VS SOUTH AFRICA EXPERT PREDICTION
The toss could be important in this one with the winners more than likely to bowl first. The last two teams to bowl first in New York (South Africa and India) dismissed their respective opponents for less than 100. The Proteas would love a repeat performance here and even if they are to bat first, a bowling unit of their skill and speed makes them formidable opposition for Netherlands.
It’s impossible to ignore just how destructive Anrich Nortje was this past Monday, with Sri Lanka’s batters unable to score from him, with four of them losing their wickets. Instead of backing South Africa to win at little value, back Nortje to significantly extend his wickets tally across the tournament so far.
NETHERLANDS VS SOUTH AFRICA TOP TIP: ANRICH NORTJE TO TAKE OVER 1.5 MATCH WICKETS