England Women v South Africa Women T20 predictions & cricket betting tips

Free cricket tips, best bets and analysis for Thursday's first T20 international between England Women and South Africa Women.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event / Cricket, 7pm

Best bet

Nat Sciver top England runscorer
1pt 7-2 bet365

Match preview

England Women ran out comfortable 3-0 winners in their recent one-day international series with South Africa and will be hoping for more of the same when the teams turn their attention to a three-game Twenty20 tussle.

England prevailed by five wickets, 114 runs and 109 runs in the ODI series, asserting their superiority and bookmakers rate the hosts 1-3 to open the T20 series with a win.

South Africa have not been helped in their tour of England by the sudden retirement of Lizelle Lee, the country's all-time top T20 runscorer, while Dane van Niekerk, a star of The Hundred last year, has been sidelined with injury.

And although England last competed in a T20 series back in January, losing to Australia, they look better-equipped heading into this series, which starts with a clash in Chelmsford.

The series also acts as preparation for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, in which England Women's T20 side will be competing, but they have made the bold move to leave out Tammy Beaumont for both the Games and this match with South Africa.

With Beaumont not in the squad, top-order batter Nat Sciver could be the best bet to be England's top runscorer.

She scored 32 in her last T20 for England against Australia but has since excelled in ODIs, putting on a total of 119 runs in her two appearances against South Africa.

Not got a bet365 account? Bet £10 & get £50 in free bets

Open account offer. Minimum deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as bet credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Minimum odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude bet credits stake. Time limits/T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Sign up to emails from Racing Post Sport and get all the latest news and tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport