Amla too big at 14-1

SPORTS BETTING: CRICKET’S Twenty20 World Cup began yesterday, but the really meaningful action is unlikely to start before the Super 8s get under way tomorrow week.

That said, the markets for the top batsmen and bowler will be shaped by the group matches and, with Sri Lanka in action yesterday and Australia and India parading their skills today, those odds had the potential to change significantly.

All we can do at this stage is look at players from teams yet to make a start in the tournament. The three players who interest me are Hashim Amla, Umar Gul and Jade Dernbach.

Amla, the South African batsman clearly the world’s top player at the moment, was awesome in all forms of cricket against England this summer. He will get the best opportunity to score quick runs - lots of them.

This is a a guy who plays proper cricket shots, minimising the risk of dismissal, so take the 14-1 for him as the top run scorer in the competition - especially as South Africa are likely to go a long way.

Bowlers at the start and end of an innings have best opportunity to take wickets.

Step forward Pakistan’s Gul and England’s Dernbach. Both mix up their bowling with well-disguised slower balls and both have good records in this form of the game.

At 25-1 and 40-1 respectively, they represent excellent value to be the competition’s top wicket-takers.

Finally, the market for the winning nation is hugely competitive, with India favourite at 5-1, Sri Lanka and South Africa 11-2, West Indies and Pakistan 13-2, Australia 7-1 and England 8-1.

I believe our boys have been underrated as, even without Kevin Pietersen, the side is packed with explosive batsmen and the bowlers are varied and innovative.

I have a healthy respect for Pakistan too - a mercurial team with match-winning spinners.

RECOMMENDATIONS: To win the tournament - England 8-1, Pakistan 13-2. Top batsman - Hashim Amla 14-1. Top bowler - Umar Gul 25-1, Jade Dernbach 40-1 (all odds generally available).


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