Kiwis could inflict more pain on the Proteas

New Zealand v South Africa
Sky Sports 5, 1am Saturday

Night owls could enjoy some cracking action as New Zealand face South Africa in a one-day series decider and India bid to bounce back from their shock defeat to Australia in the first Test.

Martin Guptill’s unbeaten 180 made it 2-2 between the Kiwis and the Proteas and the fifth ODI in Auckland is a fascinating clash.

Eden Park was the setting for South Africa’s heartbreaking World Cup semi-final defeat to New Zealand in 2015 and the Kiwis have beaten Pakistan and Australia (twice) in their three subsequent ODIs at the venue.

South Africa convincingly won last month’s Twenty20 game in Auckland, where Imran Tahir took 5-24, but New Zealand have played the star spinner well in the 50-over series.

The hosts have a well-balanced attack of their own – spinners Jeetan Patel and Mitchell Santner opened the bowling in the fourth match of the series and paceman Trent Boult has been in superb form this year.

At 11-8, they are worth a small bet to inflict more pain on the Proteas at Eden Park.

Recommendation
New Zealand
1pt 11-8 Betfred

India v Australia
Sky Sports 2, 4am Saturday

Australia produced a superb all-round performance to thump India on a poor pitch in Pune but they are 3-1 outsiders for the second Test in Bangalore.

India were bowled out for 105 and 107 in Pune but opener Murali Vijay could restore some pride at a ground where he scored 139 against Australia in 2010.

Before last week’s failures, Vijay had scored a first-innings 100 in three of his previous five Test matches.

Recommendation
M Vijay top India first-innings runscorer
1pt 9-2 general