Centrebet punters are banking on the increase from 20 overs to 50 making no difference to South Africa's fortunes in the one-day series, which starts today at the MCG.
"We opened Australia up at $1.47 for game one and they were quickly in to $1.40 after a surge of money, including one bet of $5000," Centrebet's Neil Evans said. "The Proteas have drifted from $2.70 to $2.90, and are likely to get a whole lot longer."
Evans said that in betting on who would win the five-match series, Australia were a raging $1.38, with South Africa a $3.05 outsider.
Meanwhile, Sportingbet Australia has firmed Phil Jaques in to $1.55 to be Australia's next Test opener following the retirement of Matthew Hayden, with young gun Phil Hughes second favourite at $3.50.
Sportingbet Australia chief executive Michael Sullivan said the experience of Jaques gave him the edge.
"South Africa is a tough tour, and our feeling is that the selectors will go for the player that's already been in the trenches," he said.
"While Hughes is sure to get his chance, it's more likely he'll tour as a back-up player first."
TAB Sportsbet's Matt Jenkins reported that punters cleaned up on Australia in their 2-0 whitewash of South Africa in the Twenty20 series this week and had been keen to back them to go on with the job in the 50-over game today. Kicking on
With former AFL players Ben Graham and Saverio Rocca set to go head to head for a place in the Super Bowl, Sportingbet Australia has opened markets on which player punts the furthest during the game between their respective teams, the Arizona Cardinals and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Former Collingwood and North Melbourne full-forward Rocca is the early favourite.
"We have Rocca at $1.80 with a -0.5m start to have the higher average distance in the game and at -1.5m on handicap to have the longest punt," Sullivan said. "But Graham could be some value at $1.95 at +0.5m and +1.5m, given that he has an extra year's experience in the American game."
Media Man Australia Profiles
Cricket
Sports Betting
Sports News
Australian Sports Entertainment
