Cricket World Cup Tips and Previews, Oct 20-22
Australia vs. Pakistan
20th October
The Australians will face their toughest test of the World Cup as they attempt to keep their tournament alive with a win against Pakistan in Bengaluru.
Having lost their opening two games, Pat Cummins and his men hit the scoreboard with a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka. Adam Zampa found form with 4/47 (8), while Josh Inglis (58) and Mitch Marsh (52) guided the Aussies past the Lankans’ 209 with 88 balls to spare.
Pakistan, who won their first two matches with relative ease, will need to bounce back from a comprehensive seven-wicket loss to India. After breaking the ODI record for the highest-ever successful run chase against Sri Lanka (345), the Green Shirts managed just 191 against their rivals.
Reports say a viral infection has run through the Pakistan camp over the past few days, including star bowler Shaheen Afridi, giving Australia the best possible chance of recording back-to-back wins and keeping their tournament alive.
Suggested Bet:
Australia to win at $1.51
Netherlands vs. Sri Lanka
21st October
Are the Netherlands officially the giant killers?
Well, not quite yet. But if they can cause another upset against Sri Lanka on Saturday, no team will feel comfortable coming up against the cricket minnows for the remainder of the tournament.
After making 245/8 off the back of a Scott Edwards 78* on Tuesday night, the Dutchmen shocked the sporting world when they successfully skittled South Africa for 207 in reply. Logan van Beek (3/60) was the standout with the ball as the Netherlands inflicted South Africa with their first loss of the World Cup.
Despite their $3.75 quote, they’ll like their chances against Sri Lanka, who are yet to get off the mark after losses to Australia, Pakistan, and South Africa.
Suggested Bet:
B. de Leede top Netherlands bowler at $4.33
England vs. South Africa
21st October
In another blockbuster match-up this weekend, the fifth-placed England will take on the third-placed South Africa as both sides desperately try to bounce back from disappointing losses.
While the South Africans failed to recover against the Netherlands after falling to 44/4, the Englishmen were similarly outplayed by Afghanistan during their 69-run loss.
Harry Brook did his utmost to lead his side with a quickfire 66, but the England bowlers simply had no answer for the batting exploits of Rahmanullah Gurbaz (80) and Ikram Alikhil (58).
England has now lost two of their first three games and finds themselves in a must-win scenario for the rest of the tournament. If the game was decided on form, there’s no doubt South Africa should enter as slight favourites.
Suggested Bet:
South Africa to win at $2.05
India vs. New Zealand
22nd October
Who will remain undefeated at the end of the weekend?
The two best teams of the World Cup will go head-to-head on Sunday night, with the market firmly in the home side’s favour at $1.42.
India, who are even money favourites to win the whole tournament, have been in scintillating form throughout their first four games, with victories against Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Rohit Sharma (265 runs) and Virat Kohli (259) sit 1st and 2nd for runs made, while Jasprit Bumrah has claimed 10 wickets. Kohli was particularly dominant with 103* against the Tigers and leads a batting line-up with more depth than any other side.
As for New Zealand, they haven’t put a foot wrong so far, sitting on top of the standings with comprehensive wins in all four matches. Devon Conway ranks behind only the Indian batsmen with 249 runs, while Mitch Santer is the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 11.
This might not be the first time these two sides meet here, but it’s hard to see the Indians losing in front of the home crowd.
