In response to numerous requests, below are betting tips for the upcoming round of ICC World Cup fixtures.
You can view and compare the latest Cricket World Cup match odds in the Live Odds section of this website.
28th Match, Pool B – India v West Indies
Fri Mar 6 (50 ovs) 06:30 GMT | 14:30 local 14:30 AWST | 17:00 ACDT |17:30 AEDT
Western Australia Cricket Association Ground, Perth
India form:
– Won by 76 runs v Pakistan
– Won by 130 runs v South Africa
– Won by nine wickets v UAE
After a poor tour which saw them lose the test series against Australia and fail to win any game in the tri-series with Australia and England, India have looked much stronger in this World Cup. Numerous players are recording large scores now, with Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and Ajinkya Rahane all in good form. India’s bowling attack has improved in leaps and bounds too.
West Indies form:
– Lost by four wickets v Ireland
– Won by 150 runs v Pakistan
– Won by 73 runs v Zimbabwe (Duckworth-Lewis method)
– Lost by 257 runs v South Africa
The West Indies have been the most mercurial side of the tournament, looking hopeless one day and unbeatable the next. They will likely need Chris Gayle and their other main batsmen to all fire today if they are to topple India. From a bowling perspective the West Indies are mediocre, as highlighted by the 300+ score they conceded against Ireland. Their weak bowling attack will likely be their undoing this tournament.
Betting: the West Indies should be competitive, but I expect their bowling attack will let them down against an in-form India. I would back India in the head-to-head at 1.47 (WBX)
29th Match, Pool B – Pakistan v South Africa
Sat Mar 7 (50 ovs) 01:00 GMT | 14:00 local 09:00 AWST | 11:30 ACDT |12:00 AEDT
Eden Park, Auckland
Pakistan form:
– Lost by 76 runs v India
– Lost by 150 runs v West Indies
– Won by 20 runs v Zimbabwe
– Won by 129 runs v UAE
Pakistan have had a disappointing World Cup thus far, however they’re still in with a good chance of making the quarter-finals. Both with bat and ball Pakistan haven’t looked convincing this tournament, but they may relish the fact that most have written their chances off for this fixture.
South Africa form
– Won by 62 runs v Zimbabwe
– Lost by 130 runs v India
– Won by 257 runs v West Indies
– Won by 201 runs v Ireland
Like Sri Lanka, South Africa started this tournament slowly but have gained good momentum since. They were ordinary against Zimbabwe and India but solid results against the West Indies and Ireland have put their campaign back on track. A win here would put them in the box seat to finish 2nd in Pool B, which will mean they would likely avoid Australia and New Zealand in the quarter-finals. My only concern for South Africa is when they bat second. They have a reputation for cracking under pressure during run chases and their opening batsman Quinton de Kock remains out of form. From a bowling perspective they’re not quite firing on all cylinders, but with the batting line-up they boast they can afford to have a less than stellar day with the ball.
Betting: Pakistan actually won 2 of their 3 ODIs in South Africa in 2013, however they look out of form at the moment. I would back South Africa in the head-to-head at 1.28 (Matchbook).
30th Match, Pool B – Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sat Mar 7 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT | 14:30 local 11:30 AWST| 14:00 ACDT | 14:30 AEDT
Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Ireland form:
– Won by four wickets v West Indies
– Won by two wickets v UAE
– Lost by 201 runs v South Africa
They were easily beaten by South Africa, but apart from that Ireland have had a good tournament, chasing down a big total against the West Indies before seeing off the UAE. Their top order have looked poor of late, however, and they need to be firing on all cylinders if they are to win this fixture and maintain the pressure on Pakistan for the 4th seed place in the group.
Zimbabwe form
– Lost by 62 runs v South Africa
– Won by four wickets v UAE
– Lost by 73 runs v West Indies (Duckworth-Lewis)
– Lost by 20 runs v Pakistan
Zimbabwe have been relatively consistent with the bat, but inconsistent with the ball this tournament. They will probably miss out on the quarter-finals but will be keen to beat Ireland if they are to view their campaign as a success.
Betting: this should be an evenly matched game but I’m going to side with Zimbabwe. I would back Zimbabwe in the head-to-head at 1.91 (Pinnacle Sports).
31st Match, Pool A – New Zealand v Afghanistan
Sun Mar 8 (50 ovs) 22:00 GMT (prev day) | 11:00 local 06:00 AWST | 08:30 ACDT |09:00 AEDT
McLean Park, Napier
New Zealand form:
– Won by 98 runs v Sri Lanka
– Won by three wickets v Scotland
– Won by eight wickets v England
– Won by one wicket v Australia
While New Zealand are riding high with four wins from four games, they have a number of players who are a bit out of form with the bat this tournament, so this fixture and the next against Bangladesh will provide them with a good opportunity to find some form. New Zealand will be hoping Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott and Luke Ronchi in particular can find some runs before heading into the quarter-finals.
Afghanistan form:
– Lost to Bangladesh by 105 runs
– Lost to Sri Lanka by four wickets
– Beat Scotland by one wicket
– Lost to Australia by 275 runs
Afghanistan won’t be expected to win this clash, but having already defeated Scotland they can return home viewing their performance in this World Cup as a success. If you haven’t seem him already, keep an eye out for Rambo fan Hamid Hassan, who wears a Rambo-style headband and war paint during games!
Betting: there’s little value in the 1.02 odds on New Zealand in the head-to-head, but you might want to combine the 1.02 odds on New Zealand with other selections in two-leg multis. With the batting firepower New Zealand have, I would back New Zealand to hit the most sixes at 1.22 (William Hill).
32nd Match, Pool A – Australia v Sri Lanka
Sun Mar 8 (50 ovs) 03:30 GMT | 14:30 local 11:30 AWST| 14:00 ACDT | 14:30 AEDT
Sydney Cricket Ground
Australia form:
– Won by 111 runs v England
– Match abandoned v Bangladesh
– Lost by one wicket v New Zealand
– Won by 275 runs v Afghanistan
Apart from looking susceptible to swing bowling against New Zealand, Australia have been strong as expected this tournament. With New Zealand likely to top Pool A, Australia will be keen to win this fixture to avoid finishing 3rd in the Group. This is because the 3rd place finisher in Pool A will be in the same half of the draw as the top place finisher. If Australia met New Zealand in the semi-finals they would have to travel back to New Zealand because the Black Caps would have finished higher in the pool. If, however, Australia win this an go on to finish 2nd in Pool A they would be on the opposite side of the draw to New Zealand, so they wouldn’t have to leave Australia again during the tournament.
Sri Lanka form:
– Lost by 98 runs v New Zealand
– Won by four wickets v Afghanistan
– Won by 92 runs v Bangladesh
– Won by nine wickets v England
Sri Lanka have a top-heavy batting line-up. Tillakaratne Dilshan, Lahiru Thirrimanne, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene have all got centuries, however there’s a big drop off after that. They have progressively improved as the tournament has gone on. Strike bowler Lasith Malinga was incredibly rusty against New Zealand but he’s found better form now, however they were unable to limit England to a 300+ total which bodes ominously for their fixture against Australia.
Betting: Australia have played Sri Lanka 13 times in Sydney and won 8 times with 1 no result. Had this fixture been at the WACA I would be all over Australia but in Sydney opposition like Sri Lanka have been much more competitive. I would tentatively back Australia in the head-to-head at 1.33 (Betfair), but I don’t think there’s much value in those odds.