Already out of the semi-final race, England will face South Africa in their final group match of the 2025 Champions Trophy on Saturday (March 1) - Here's what the Betfair odds for the match are.
England, having already been out of contention of making it to the knockouts after defeats against Australia and Afghanistan, will look to salvage some pride. It will also be Jos Buttler’s final match as England’s white-ball captain. Buttler announced his decision to step down following England's torrid run in limited-overs cricket, especially ODIs.
South Africa, on the other hand, won their first match against Afghanistan followed by a washout in the second match against Australia. Having reached the top four of the 2023 ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup the following year, the Proteas would be looking to seal yet another semi-final spot. They are almost in with the Afghanistan-Australia washout on Friday. Only a huge defeat could see Afghanistan overtake them on net run-rate.
Can Buttler finish his swansong match as England's white-ball captain on a high?
England are desperately searching for form. Yes, there has been the odd individual performance here and there, but they have failed collectively as a unit in this competition. One thing that is imminent from here on is them undergoing a possible overhaul to their side. That their captain is calling it quit doesn’t make good optics, suggesting not all is hunky-dory in their camp.
South Africa, meanwhile, have shown glimpses of the consistency they have relished in ICC tournaments in recent years. With the entry to the 2023-25 World Test Championship final being their most recent achievement, they would want to add another feather to their cap with a top four spot, possibly culminating to the long-awaited prize – the trophy. South Africa’s possible dominance is reflected in Betfair Sportsbook’s odds (8/11) of valuing them as favourites to win the match as compared to England’s (1/1).
South Africa's decorated batting order could prove to be too much for England.
South Africa’s new hero Ryan Rickleton continues his emergence after becoming the first batter from his nation to score a double hundred in WTC. Opening the batting against Afghanistan, he set the ton with 103. Valued at 9/2 alongside Aiden Markram, Rickleton could be one of the top batters for South Africa again. Markram, meanwhile, scored the fastest fifty for South Africa in the tournament off just 33 balls, giving South Africa a late flourish to take them to 315-6. Temba Bavuma (58) and Rassie van der Dussen (52) scored half-centuries as well and their odds (4/1) of being the best batter for South Africa suggest more runs are on the cards.
With as many as four players scoring fifties against Afghanistan, South Africa achieved a rare fifty-plus quadruple.
England’s batting has failed to find the right tempo of aggression and playing it sensibly, a thing for which they have been criticised severely. It would be wishful thinking to consider the struggles going to disappear all of a sudden. Only another Joe Root masterclass could help them compete. As has been the case through the competition, England’s batting will revolve around Root and that’s backed by Betfair Sportsbook’s odds of 6/5 of him being the best batter for his side.
You can bet on every match in-play during the Champions Trophy with the Betfair Exchange. This alternative way of betting allows customers to bet against each other rather than a traditional bookmaker. This way you often find much higher in-play odds than with traditional fixed markets.
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