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Considering a flutter on the World Cup?

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Whilst we’re all enjoying the current VB Series here at home, many a keen punter’s eye is drifting towards the upcoming pinnacle of limited overs cricket; the 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa. With the first fixture scheduled for the 9th of February, this year’s World Cup sees an unprecedented 14 national teams clash for the honour of being one day cricket’s undisputed champion.

Divided into two pools of seven teams, the titans of world cricket will hit it out with each other as well as against lessor known members of the international cricketing fraternity. Ultra-competitive Pool A comprises Australia, Pakistan, India, England, Holland, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Pool B is made up of South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Canada, and Kenya.

After an exhaustive preliminary series, the top three sides from each pool will proceed to the “Super Sixes”. Following a short round-robin arrangement, the first placed Super Six team will play the fourth, and the second placed will meet the third in respective semi-finals. The winner of each will then meet in the ultimate decider.

So, how’s the betting action? Surprisingly, the difficulty of being lumped into Pool A hasn’t been truly reflected in the prices on offer at most betting houses. Despite being forced into a game of musical chairs for three Super Six positions with Pakistan, India, England, and darkhorses Zimbabwe, Australia remain the favourite at around the $2.70 mark. For the uninitiated, this arrangement will see the punter receive $2.70 for every dollar invested, should Australia win the World Cup. With the return of most, if not all, of Australia’s strike bowlers, $2.70 could be considered attractive.

Tailing Australia in the esteem of most bookies is South Africa. Consistency and the home ground advantage see the Proteas at $3.00 at Sportingbet.com and even an enticing $3.50 at SportsTab. To risk sounding unpatriotic, South Africa could be worth the investment of a few dollars.

Following the two frontrunners, there’s quite a bit of daylight down to the other contenders in the Cup. Pakistan sit at around the $10.00 mark, on top of the hope that their combination of youth and experience gels in February, and sub-continental rivals India are generally on offer at a fraction more ($11.00 at Sport Odds). 1996 World Cup winners Sri Lanka, who have hit some very promising form in the VB Series here in Australia, along with the Kiwis round out the top sides at approximately $13.00.

For the remainder of full ICC member nations, the following odds are on offer at Sport Odds: England - $15.00, West Indies - $21.00, Zimbabwe - $101.00, and Bangladesh $1001.00.

For our Dutch, Canadian and Namibian friends, your national sides are fetching the extraordinary odds of 5001 to 1 to take out one day cricket’s greatest prize. If the next Bradman is on the verge of making his debut for one of these three minnows, then a dollar bet could be in order.

Every team will lift for the World Cup, but, in my opinion, the winner of the 2003 World Cup will be Australia or South Africa. The odds on offer reflect the likelihood, but also offer some value to punters. However, a darkhorse challenge could come in the form of Sri Lanka, if they can strike their top form at the business end of the tournament.

So, for me, it’s most of the kitty on Ponting’s boys, as both a heart and a head bet, and perhaps one or two on the home side and Sri Lanka, just to cover my bases.
Mon 20/01/2003 Joe Cooper 38 views

3 Comments about this article

  • Joe, Australia look the goods as you say. What do you think about New Zealand's edge over Australia? (ie last VB series)and how that may be seen in the world cup? Also, Who do you think won't make it in Pool A?

    Posted by Chris Titley Mon Jan 27, 2003 03:34pm AEST
  • Chris, I think NZ are a big show. They have pretty good form over the WC's. Flemming is a great captain.

    Posted by Warren Livingstone Thu Jan 30, 2003 12:56pm AEST
  • Yeah Woz. The Kiwis seem to come good at the World Cup. However, I'm sticking with my prediction. It'll be all Australia, or South Africa. With the Aussie performance the other day, it's certainly looking good for us!

    Posted by Joe Cooper Sat Feb 15, 2003 10:05am AEST

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