Durban Hosts the Deciding Test Between South Africa and West Indies

With the series squared at 1-1 after an extraordinary 2nd test in Cape Town, South Africa and the West Indies move to Durban for the decider. The West Indies have been surprisingly competitive so far in the series, with a dominating victory in the first test, and a gutsy performance despite losing by 7 wickets in the second.

South Africa are once again very solid favourites, with punters keen to write off the first test as an aberration and you will have to shop well to find 1.50 available for a win. The Draw has opened up around 3.60, with as much as 9.00 on offer for the Windies.

The fitness of Chris Gayle will be a major sticking point for the South African price after his amazing one-legged, one-armed effort in making 38 in the second session. Struck down in the first innings with a hamstring injury, and then breaking his left thumb in the second, one would think Gayle would be extremely unlikely to front up, which would be a massive blow for the tourists. Were he to come up however, he is in such good form that his presence can turn the Windies into genuine chances rather than longshots.

South Africa have injury troubles of their own, albeit on a lesser scale, with the recently resurrected career of Neil McKenzie on hold again after he was ruled out with a torn calf muscle. This allows Herschelle Gibbs to return to the side – no doubt with a point to prove. Monde Zondeki is also on standby should Dale Steyn not come up from his slight hamstring strain. The loss of Steyn would be a big one for the home side, after he took eight wickets in the second test and has provided the fast bowling arsenal with a bit of extra spark.

It will also be important to keep the weather in mind when weighing up your betting options. Durban's easterly location means it is prone to bad light which may reduce the playing time available. Whilst the humid climate can also result in thunderstorms, the early forecast is for cloudy weather, yet with low chance of rain.

Personally, I will be leaving my betting until things are clearer on the make up of the two sides. If Gayle was somehow able to front up, I think the Windies might prove to be a bit of value at around 9.00, even more so if Steyn happened to succumb to his hamstring strain. Reverse that however, and I think too much will be left to Chanderpaul and I would be more inclined trying to get as good a price about the Proteas as possible – providing the weather forecast is satisfactory.

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