Steyn primed to hit top form

SPORTS BETTING:

ENGLAND’S invincibility in home Test matches was blown apart by South Africa at the Oval.

The innings win for the Proteas – for the loss of just two wickets – was as convincing as it was unexpected. The tourists have momentum in spades and, at first glance, look good value at 21-10 to make it 2-0 and clinch the three-Test series in the Headingley showdown from tomorrow.

But England have a happy knack of bouncing back from bad results and I would not be surprised to see them lands odds of 9-4 by turning the tables on South Africa.

That said, the summer rains have returned so it is no surprise to see the draw at 6-4 with a damp forecast in place.

Batsmen Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis grabbed most of the headlines at the Oval, but one man who appeared to be steaming into form was fast bowler Dale Steyn.

He had not bowled much before the first Test, so he looks sure to improve with the outing under his belt.

He is 9-1 to be named man of the match and though Headingley has favoured batsmen in recent county matches, conditions are likely to assist the bowlers.

RECOMMENDATION: Dale Steyn to be man-of-the-match in second Test, 9-1 (Ladbrokes).










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