England are ready to step into the 2011 Cricket World Cup arena, with their opening match against the Netherlands early on Monday morning. Things at the World Cup have pretty much all gone to plan so far, with India winning their opening match, along with dominating performances from Sri Lanka and defending champions Australia. Next it will be England’s turn to stamp their authority on the tournament, but of course, one eye will keep glancing back at the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup, when the underdogs pulled off a major shock against England. England now actually look a bit stronger and fitter, with the squad pretty much back to full health. Spinner Graeme Swann has joined them after his paternity leave, but he may not be put straight into the side. The spin duty may fall on Michael Yardy, but there is always the temptation to play two spinners in the sub continent conditions. After struggling to get past Canada in their first World Cup warm up match, England put in a much stronger performance to beat Pakistan comfortably. Thankfully Stuart Broad looks back to his best after missing most of the Ashes series with an injury. He roared back into action taking five wickets against both Canada and Pakistan, with figures of 5-25 against Pakistan. England have also been boosted by the news that Tim Bresnan, who really could be an important part of their World Cup campaign, has returned to full health.
Mercurial batsman Kevin Pietersen has been assigned the role of opening the batting with Andrew Strauss, and made a decent contribution to the score against Pakistan. He may take some time to grow into the role, but time isn’t what England have. They need to come out firing from the off. England are in the tougher Group B in the tournament, alongside South Africa and India, and it is their performances against the minnows which could really determine their outcome. While the Dutch fans will remember fondly the last two runs off the last ball in that opening 2009 Twenty20 World Cup match, they haven’t beaten a Test Nation at a ODI World Cup. They have actually only ever won two of their fourteen World Cup matches played. England should have far too much in the tank to suffer any shocking set back here. While it is only against the Netherlands, it really is a must win game, for confidence and for intent in the World Cup. They have seen stronger nations easily brush aside weaker challenges, and that is what they have to live up to. They have to shake off that horrid 6-1 series defeat at the hands of the Aussies and knuckle straight down to business. England start as 1/20 outright favourites to beat the Netherlands at Totesport, so clearly not much value there. With the Dutch way out at 11/1 with Bet365 to win the match, you are unlikely to get any returns there either.
Best profits will come in looking outside of the match outright prices here. Dip into submarkets such as Top England bowler, where Stuart Broad is 11/4 at Bet365 which does represent value. He is on top form at the moment, he looks rested, fit and hungry. Graeme Swann, who should make a big impact at the tournament is 7/2 but Broad will really get first dibs on skittling out the Dutch. So then you can turn to Top England Batsman for some good potential profit on your cricket betting as well. Kevin Pietersen, given the chance to be in amongst the runs earlier is decently priced at 3/1 with BetFred. You look at Pietersen and Captain Andrew Strauss (10/3 at Bet365) to score the heavy runs really, England don’t have a big rapid scorer beyond that. Jonathon Trott (7/2 at Victor Chandler) has great temperament and class but is a bit slow in building innings, yet he can build up big totals if he gets in. Stick with one of the two openers though, as they should get the most action, and you would hope that England don’t have to go too far down their batting order to get the job done here. After their miserable run against Australia, England are out at 9/1 at Stan James to win the 2011 Cricket World Cup outright.
