6th Mar 2011 | Cricket
Cricket World Cup Betting: England Dig Deep
England edged a thrilling game against South Africa to give themselves a chance of progressing in the Cricket World Cup.
The England rollercoaster continues after a thrilling win over South Africa. Batting first on a slow turning pitch, England were soon in trouble at 15-3. Half centuries from Jonathan Trott and Ravi Bopara restored some respectability, but a score of 171 all out, looked thirty runs short of a competitive total.
With South Africa travelling serenely at 124-3 the match was going only one way. The excellent Jimmy Anderson then found his line, which had been so badly missing this tournament, and captured two quick wickets.
The new batsmen struggled to adapt to the slow pitch and wickets continued to tumble as South Africa laboured for runs. A brief cameo from Dale Steyn put the game back in the balance until Stuart Broad returned to take the final two wickets. South Africa finishing seven runs short of their target.
England are now best odds of 8/1 to win the World Cup having been as big as 16/1 before the game. South Africa have been eased to 4/1 from 7/2 after their first defeat of the tournament.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 12:30 6th Mar, 2011 but subject to change
