Proteas’ talisman can make his presence felt

First ODI: New Zealand v South Africa
Sky Sports 1, 1am Sunday
Second T20: Australia v Sri Lanka
BT Sport 3, 8.20am Sunday

Australia’s band of Big Bash League stars suffered final-ball heartache in their first T20 with Sri Lanka at the MCG on Friday but are just 4-9 to exact swift revenge in Geelong on Sunday.

However the Aussies, whose usual line-up are preparing for a Test series in India which begins in a week, look vulnerable again to a more seasoned Sri Lankan outfit and they look value at 11-5 to tie up the series with a game to spare.

Across the Tasman Sea bookmakers are expecting a tight opener to South Africa’s one-day series with New Zealand.

The Proteas, who sauntered to a dominant 78-run in the pair’s sole T20 clash on Friday, are 4-6 to draw first blood in Hamilton but at a bigger price it could be worth banking on Proteas talisman Hashim Amla having a big say on proceedings.

Amla, who hit 62 in the T20 win in Auckland, has a fine record in ODIs against the Black Caps, hitting 589 runs in 13 innings including two centuries.

His T20 knock followed an imperious 154 against Sri Lanka a week ago and at 10-3 he looks good business to top South Africa’s runscoring again.

Recommendations
Sri Lanka
1pt 11-5 Betway
H Amla top SA runscorer
1pt 10-3 Betfred, Sky Bet