No sure England bets for ICC World Twenty20

Alastair Cook, who is leading England at the moment on the tour of Bangladesh at the moment, was dealt a blow as he was left out of the England Twenty20 Squad for the ICC Twenty20. While only the provisional squad has been named, the England opener’s name was not one of the thirty, and is something of high profile omission. This is somewhat of surprise, as Cook’s form, which was under some debate for most of 2009, has picked up dramatically, with his scoring heavily and regularly with the bat during the tour of the UAE and Bangladesh, both in Twenty20 and One Day Internationals.

England have named five newcomers to the full international Twenty20 fold, with four spinners and one batsman looking to earn spots in the team at the tournament. Bowlers Steven Finn, Peter Trego, Chris Woakes and David Wainwright have been drafted, along with another South African born batsman, Michael Lumb. Whoever makes the final 15 will be under the captaincy of England stalwart Paul Collingwood, who keeps going and going, and still delivering for his nation, in all formats of the game. Collingwood remains one of the most decidated cricketers to the England cause, never seemingly taking a break from international cricket.

Perhaps this is not as much of a knock on Cook’s confidence as it may first appear to be. To be fair he has not really excelled at the Twenty20 game, looking more of a patient player. But his form at the moment, may just have seen him turn the corner in both of the shorter formats of the game, and there will be time, if he continues his fine form, to make his mark on the international Twenty20 scene. The young players being called into the provisional squad, have been looking impressive and making strides with the England Lions, and Craig Kieswetter showed that breaking into the full England team can be done.

Someone who may be missing from the ICC Twenty20, which begins at the end of April, is Kevin Pietersen, who could be away on paternity leave, during the crucical stages of the tournament. England are in a three team group along with hosts West Indies and qualifier Ireland. England’s first match of the tournament is against Ireland on May 1st, something which former Ireland star Eoin Morgan will be looking forward too, as he continues to impress for England with the bat.

England’s tour of Bangladesh continues, with the visitors holding on to their unbeaten record against the sub-continent nation. Eoin Morgan came to the rescue in the second of three ODI’s, with a cracking 110 scored from 104 balls, which saw England home. Paul Collingwood was the stand out performer with the bat in the first match of the series, in which England started as strong favourites to win. With series now secured, England will look to head into the Test Match series against Bangladesh with a 100% record.

Bangladesh vs. England Third ODI Outright Betting
England to win: 1/4 at Boylesports
Bangladesh to win: 4/1 at Bet365

ICC World Twenty20 Outright Betting
Australia – 9/2 at Totesport
South Africa – 9/2 at SkyBet
India – 5/1 at Ladbrokes
Sri Lanka – 6/1 at Boylesports
Pakistan – 7/1 at Blue Square
West Indies – 12/1 at 888Sport
England – 12/1 at Boylesports
Bangladesh – 80/1 at Bwin
Zimbabwe – 300/1 at Victor Chandler
Ireland – 500/1 at Bet365
Afghanistan – 1000/1 at Ladbrokes