Michael Vaughan: My verdict on the ICC Champions Trophy semi-finals

Anderson and co will need the ball to be swinging if England are to beat South Africa

England take on South Africa on Wednesday in what is pretty much an even money game and Michael Vaughan believes the toss could be vital at the Oval. India, meanwhile, should have too much for Sri Lanka on Thursday, according to the Betfair ambassador

England v South Africa
Start time: Wednesday 10:30 BST
TV: Live on Sky Sports 1

The Aussies getting past the 164 mark in their game against Sri Lanka meant England topped their group and therefore avoided India, which everyone wanted to do.

But South Africa have sneaked under the radar a little bit and will be a very tough proposition for England. They're a fine one-day outfit, strong in every area with both power and finesse in the batting, and left and right-hand options, a fine bowling attack - especially with Dale Steyn back - and we know what they bring in the fielding department.

England have played OK so far, but the bowling and batting departments haven't yet clicked at the same time and to win a semi-final you need all three disciplines to be in good order.

As we've seen in the tournament so far for England to win, they'll need to ball to be swinging. I can't see this England batting line-up getting 330 odd on a flat pitch, so they will need the bowlers to restrict the South Africans. Easier said than done with quality operators like Amla, Duminy and De Villiers in the line-up!

The Betfair market can't split the two sides at the moment - England are slight favourites at 1.9720/21 with the Proteas at 2.021/1 - and it's certainly a tough one to call.

On a fresh Oval pitch that might not offer lots of assistance to the bowlers, chasing is probably the best strategy so the toss is going to be important and I'd back the team that calls right. 

On the Top Batsman markets, we'll return to the tried and trusted and back Jonathan Trott, trading at 4.47/2. He's such a banker and I don't see him batting any differently to how he has done so far.

For South Africa, AB de Villiers looks a good price at 4.84/1. He's already top scored once and looks in decent nick.

Recommended Bets
Back the team who wins the toss @ approx 2.01/1
Back Jonathan Trott for Top England Batsman at 4.47/2
Back AB de Villiers for Top South Africa Batsman at 4.84/1

India v Sri Lanka
Start time: Thursday 10:30 BST
TV: Live on Sky Sports 1

India are strong favourites on the Betfair market trading at 1.674/6 and rightly so. They have covered every facet of good one-day cricket so far, defending totals and chasing down targets, and just look like a powerful outfit.

The batting is, of course, very strong with Dhawan in particular a joy to watch so far. On the bowling front, they have three good seam options in Sharma, Yadav and Kumar, backed up by quality spin from Jadeja and Ashwin while the fielding is as good as it has been for some time.

For Sri Lanka to win, Lasith Malinga will need to have a field day, but most of these Indian batsman get to see him in the IPL so there are no surprises. If the game was at somewhere like Edgbaston you'd have given Sri Lanka a sniff, but the best team usually wins at Cardiff and I don't see anything other than an Indian victory.

I fancy Virat Kohli to hit form and top score for India - look for around 4.57/2 once the markets are liquid - while Kumar Sangakkara is probably the best player of spin in the Sri Lanka side, so he'd be my pick at 4.03/1 or better.

Recommended Bets
India to win at 1.674/6
Virat Kohli for Top India Batsman at 4.57/2 or better
Kumar Sangakkara for Top Sri Lanka Batsman at 4.03/1 or better