England v South Africa ODI preview

There's sure to be plenty of ODI betting interest in England's five-game series against South Africa in August as the hosts look for an improvement in their One-Day form.

The series, that began with an ODI preview of the opener at Headingley, follows the Tests and Twenty20 clash against the Proteas and ODI cricket betting analysts will know England will be hoping for better after their dismal 3-1 series defeat against New Zealand in June.

The final 51-run defeat in that set of games marked Kevin Pietersen's first as England captain so he will be out to make amends against the South Africans with his form sure to affect the odds in the ODI cricket betting market.

Much to consider in ODI cricket betting

For those considering the ODI betting for the opening game, this ODI preview would suggest it's likely the two sides will be fairly equally matched, although England's poor form against the Kiwis should mean South Africa will be viewed as slight favourites in the ODI cricket betting.

If England are to claim a series-opening win, much will depend on the form of big-hitters like Pietersen, Ian Bell and Owais Shah, who top scored in the final two games against New Zealand in June, while Andrew Flintoff's return should also mean England's ODI betting odds for the series will shorten.

ODI betting enthusiasts will know South Africa were last in one-day international action in March when they managed a convincing 3-0 victory over Bangladesh. This should shorten their ODI cricket betting odds in this series but England should provide a much sterner test.

Smith to feature in ODI betting

Test skipper Graeme Smith was in fine One-Day form against Bangladesh and he should be among the favourites to be top run-scorer in the ODI cricket betting odds against England while the form of AB de Villiers and Morne Morkel's bowling could also be crucial for the tourists and should be taken into consideration when looking at the ODI betting market.