ICC World Twenty20 Betting – Cricket Odds

New Zealand may have the firepower to cover McCullum's loss

Cricket Betting

Whichever side gets through the Group A qualifying section for this year’s ICC World Twenty20 will probably wish they hadn’t bothered for they will go forward into Group 2 of the Super 10 stage, which features some real power-houses of limited-overs cricket.

Group 2 already includes hosts India, inaugural World T20 winners in 2007, Pakistan – successful in England two years later – Australia, the reigning 50-over World Cup champions, and New Zealand. Nobody will be envying Bangladesh, Ireland, the Netherlands or Oman should they qualify.

The two countries that reach the semi-finals from Group 2 will certainly be battle-hardened but it forecasting who those two teams will be isn’t straightforward and bookmakers are hanging fire on putting up odds until the last minute. You can, however, have a bet on countries to reach the final with India and Australia both featuring prominently in Betfred’s odds.

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World T20 Betfred Odds To Reach The Final

India (6/5), Australia and South Africa (2/1), England (11/4), Pakistan, New Zealand and West Indies (4/1), Sri Lanka (6/1), Bangladesh (16/1)

You could argue that New Zealand might be the outsiders of the four seeded nations as they’ve lost Brendon McCullum. However, the stats don’t back up claims that the Kiwis are a weaker side without their fast-scoring former skipper. In nine T20 matches played with McCullum since 2014, the Black Caps have won seven. Kane Williamson is the world’s number one batsman and Martin Guptill’s average was better than McCullum’s.

Australia never lack confidence going into any tournament and Steve Smith is an inspirational figure in all forms of cricket. Aaron Finch, Usman Khuwaja and David Warner are all powerful hitters at the top of the order but the sub-continent’s slow pitches may just blunt the effectiveness of their pace attack.

India, as hosts, will be under massive pressure and will need Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to be at their very best to win the tournament. They may just fall short this time but their grudge match with Mohammad Hafiz’ Pakistan should be a spectacle.

ICC World Twenty20 Winners Best Odds

India (12/5), South Africa (11/2), Australia (6/1), England (7/1), New Zealand and West Indies (10/1), Pakistan (11/1), Sri Lanka (16/1), Bangladesh (50/1), Afghanistan and Zimbabwe (500/1), Ireland and the Netherlands (1000/1)