England v South Africa second ODI predictions & cricket betting tips

Free cricket tips, best bets and analysis for England v South Africa in Friday's second ODI at Old Trafford Cricket Ground.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Cricket / Main Event, 1pm Friday

Best bets

South Africa
2pts 11-8 general

Aiden Markram to be Player of the Match
1pt 12-1 BoyleSports

Team news

England
Ben Stokes has retired from one-day internationals and is expected to be replaced in the team by Phil Salt. Matthew Potts should feature despite withdrawing after bowling only four overs in the first ODI due to the heat.

South Africa
The Proteas are expected to field the same team as in the series opener.

Second ODI preview

A combination of a new captain, challenging conditions and an intense schedule was always going to make life tough for England's white-ball side and they started their one-day international series with South Africa on the back foot at Chester-le-Street.

England lost the first of three ODIs against the Proteas by 62 runs, having allowed their opponents to rack up a total of 333 in the scorching heat at Durham.

The chase was predictably tough, although England started well to reach 102 without loss before falling to 199-6 and they were eventually bowled out for 271.

The defeat means that since Jos Buttler took the reins as white-ball captain, England have lost five of their last seven matches in Twenty20 and one-day internationals.

Those seven matches took place across only 12 days and it is clear the relentless schedule is getting to England's players.

Ben Stokes labelled the current programme "unsustainable" before signing off from ODIs with defeat in the series opener and England simply do not look in the right frame of mind right now.

South Africa could therefore represent value to win this match at 11-8, taking the series in the process.

England's bowling attack has been costly and it is tough to find a consistent performer at the crease - Joe Root may have shown some resistance with 86 last time out but went for ducks in two of the three matches against India recently.

And a trip to Old Trafford, renowned for aiding spinners, will not help England's cause given the tourists have the likes of Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi at their disposal.

Another player who could do some damage is Aiden Markram, an accomplished top-order batsman who is also a capable off-break bowler.

Markram showed that with figures of 2-25 at Chester-le-Street last time out, dismissing both Stokes and Jonny Bairstow, and he has taken at least one wicket four of the last five times he has bowled in ODIs.

And although it was number three batsman Rassie van der Dussen who received all the plaudits in the first ODI for his knock of 134, Markram also posted a decent score of 77 off 61 deliveries.

With England struggling right now, Markram is sure to have plenty of opportunities to shine with both bat and ball in Manchester and looks a bet at 12-1 to be named Player of the Match.

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