We’ll be taking a closer look at the 2011 Cricket World Cup before the tournament gets under way but most bookmakers have priced up several markets surrounding England‘s performance on the sub-continents over the next few weeks. The general consensus of opinion is that Andrew Strauss and his men will make it to the quarter-finals, a minimum requirement I’d have thought despite a sobering experience in the recent one-day series in Australia, with nearly all the layers putting up 11/10 against a last eight exit. Betfred are offering 10/1 that England fail to make it through the group stages, while totesport will lay you 7/1 that they finish as either runners-up or winners.
The odds for England’s top scoring batsman make interesting reading. No doubt, Eoin Morgan would have been close to the head of the market had he been fit but, in his absence, bookmakers are undecided about who to make favourite. Many have captain Strauss shorter than Jonathan Trott (a general 7/2) but totesport offer 4/1 against England’s only recognised opener. It’s an indication of Kevin Pietersen‘s current form that he is also a 4/1 chance with Betfred, though KP should certainly enjoy the slower Indian pitches more than those in Australia. Even this close to the start of the tournament, there still remains a question about who will partner Strauss at the top of the order. Matt Prior hardly thrived in the pinch-hitter role against the Aussies but was noticeably among the runs when dropped down the order so the 7/1 (Stan James and totesport) against the Sussex wicketkeeper would make some appeal if he were bat six or seven. That would probably mean Ian Bell (6/1 with Boylesports) would have to open, though that would weaken the middle order. Two who look interesting at big odds are all-rounders Luke Wright and Michael Yardy. Both looked in decent nick in the latter stages of the one-day series Down Under and will get plenty of opportunity to showcase their talents with the bat if the England top order struggles again. Stan James give both a 100/1 quote, which is just way too big. Eoin Morgan’s replacement, the enigmatic Ravi Bopara, is 9/1 with bet365, extrabet and Victor Chandler.
The market to be England’s leading wicket-taker makes interesting reading with Graeme Swann, Ajmal Shahzad, Tim Bresnan and Paul Collingwood all likely to arrive on the sub-continent carrying injuries and Stuart Broad not having played since before Christmas. If you could guarantee his fitness, the wickets may best suit Shahzad (9/1 with extrabet and sportingbet) and I’d rather take a risk on the Yorkshireman than the general 7/2 against Jimmy Anderson, who looks fatigued. Yardy, again, makes some appeal at Stan James‘ 10/1 as he’s shown a mastery of pace and direction and few batsmen, in the group stages at least, will have faced him before.
