Australia's Adam Zampa, second right, celebrates the wicket of Sri Lanka's Thisara Perera with teammates during their second Twenty20 cricket match in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, Sept. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)Eranga Jayawardena/Associated Press

Cricket Odds: Australia the Underdog Against South Africa on Betting Lines

OddsShark.comSep 28, 2016

Australia, fresh from a one-day series sweep in Sri Lanka, heads to South Africa for a five ODI which, should they win, would firmly establish them at the top of world ODI rankings.

The Australians are boosted by an unexpected absentee for the home side, with inspirational South African captain AB de Villiers, arguably the world's best batsman, set to not only miss this series but the upcoming test series between these two nations in Australia.

De Villiers requires elbow surgery, leaving Faf Du Plessis to skipper the side starting with Friday's opening ODI against the Australians at Centurion.

Despite De Villiers' absence, according to website AustralianGambling, the Proteas go into this series as $1.70 favorites, while the tourists, who have won nine of the past 14 matches between the two sides, are $2.15 outsiders.

Australia has weaknesses of their own ahead of this series, having decided to leave damaging paceman Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood at home to prepare for the Australian summer. Scott Boland and John Hastings lead a pace attack which features untried talent Chris Tremain, Joe Mennie and Daniel Worrall.

Adam Zampa continues to press his claims as Australia's first-choice spinner in this format. He continues to get wickets, including three in the recent warm-up ODI against Ireland, a match Australia won easily, and is $4 to get the most wickets in the first match.

Usman Khawaja made 82 in that match, while Steve Smith compiled 59. However, David Warner's 48 off 30 balls was probably the most promising sign for the Australians heading into this series. Unsurprisingly, Warner is $3.75 to be the top run scorer in the first match, where he is likely to be rejoined by Aaron Finch, who is at $4.50.

Khawaja is likely to be dropped despite his heroics against Ireland, but he is still currently in the leading run-scorer market at $4.33.

Series between South Africa and Australia are always tightly fought, and both teams will be keen to begin well. The first match at Centurion is crucial. Australia and South Africa have played at this venue on six previous occasions and split their matches three apiece.

The match gets underway at 9:30 a.m. AEST on Friday, September 30.