Sports lovers enjoy the usual busy start to the year with football matches taking place across all major European divisions, including many tense British derbies. There’s plenty to catch the eye of those who enjoy following the darts circuit; meanwhile, horse racing is as active as ever. It’s time to focus on cricket; let’s take a look-see at the best South Africa v Pakistan 2nd test match betting tips.
Cricket enthusiasts are not to be left in the dark; there are lots of matches on the fixture list that give us the chance to sit back, relax and ease our way into the new calendar. You’ll find expert betting tips and previews on all major sports right here, helping you start as you mean to go on with a win over the bookies.
Speaking of betting, bookmakers really have rolled out the red carpet for 2019. For proof of this we need only look at their coverage of the 2nd Test Match between South Africa and Pakistan starting on Jan 3rd; it offers a flood of competitively priced markets laid out for you to feast on.
The Best Markets Around
Have your say on the winner of the series outright or put your money where your mouth is and back your opinions on the next Test Match victor with cold, hard cash. Doing your research arms you with a great chance of getting one over on the traders but, of course, we have enough going on with our modern busy lives to spend hours trawling through form, injuries and recent results, not to mention betting odds comparison.
That’s where we come in. Our dedicated, highly experienced team of cricket fans and sports betting anoraks have done the hard work for you, meaning you can settle down, read our review, follow the advice given and enjoy the match knowing you have placed a well thought out wager on the result.
Having sifted through the mountains of data, we look at the best markets available; we’ve checked out markets such as Test winner; the top batsman; top bowler; highest opening partnership and will now report back on how you should approach the week. Not only that, we know there’s no point backing a winner at 2/1 if you could’ve had it at 5/1, so we’ve also researched the industry to find out which firm offers best price on the most popular bets. We ensure your stake money works hard on your behalf.
What We Learned From the 1st Test Match
South Africa host Pakistan in the 2nd Test Match on Thursday 3 January with an expected 8.30am GMT start time; this means we have a lively opener to the day coming from Newlands, Cape Town. There will be excitement in the air amongst both sets of supporters. But, what can neutrals take from the 1st Test and what clues exist that could tell us how this match will go?
Pakistan were expected to come up short in the opening Test of the series; although they lived up to expectations on that front, they did put up enough of a fight to ensure they will not be entirely friendless in the betting ring before the teams renew rivalries. They finished with scores of 181 all out and 190 all out. A decent bar to set the hosts; however, it just wasn’t enough to see them over the line.
The coaching staff will look back at the mistakes made and their failure to win a Test that looked there for the taking. Despite that, those in the studio and watching around the country were only too eager to admit the better team won; that’ll include the Pakistan players. Improvement is needed; however, they’ll trip to Cape Town with confidence in the camp that they’ll be able to make the adjustments needed to level things up.
South Africa Were Impressive
In the end, following a gritty battle between both sides that looked like it could’ve gone either way at stages of play, South Africa flexed their muscles to win the match. They performed in front of an appreciative audience who knew they had sat through a quality few days of cricket. The final result was posted as a South Africa win by six wickets, 223-all out, 151-4; however, that doesn’t tell the whole story and we must look beyond the bare stats.
A few edgy moments aside, the victorious side put in a solid team performance with bat and ball; however, there was no denying two men swung the game in their favour. Hashim Amla and Dean Elgar both knocked half-centuries and that managed to turn the tide. That was Amla’s 40th in Test cricket and he’s a man worth keeping close during the 2nd Test.
Edgar knocked his 13th at SuperSport Park and that proved unlucky for some as he received a knock to the arm from delivery which, on first glance, looked like it may threaten the rest of his game. It’ll be interesting to see how he shapes for the 2nd Test, if at all.
Hosts to Double-Up
The 1st Test was so close we’re confident the side who improves most will win the 2nd, but we’re also sure that’ll be South Africa. Pakistan edged their way into the contest and really could’ve won it with a bit more luck but we’re backing South Africa to grow in confidence and move into a 2-0 lead.
South Africa are 1/3 favourites with Bet365 for the 2nd Test victory and that’s how we’d back it; however, those after more will find joy in the series correct score. 2-0 is 3/1 but we’d rather have our stake on the 3-0 win at 5/6 with Bet365. That’ll do a job in addition to the accumulator of the day and looks a sound investment.
The fact South Africa are favourites to win the 2nd Test means there’s no point now betting on them to claim the three-game series outright as they are currently no better than the 1/20 at Bet365. The draw is still a possibility at 16/1 with the same firm; however, we doubt there will be much interest on Pakistan turning things around, even with a jaw-dropping 22/1 up for grabs. The tourists to win the 2nd Test is 5/1 (Bet365) the draw as big as 13/2.