The Indian Premier League is drawing to a close, but that doesn’t mean that the world’s best cricketers can put their protective boxes back in the cupboard and take a few weeks off to recuperate. Because June 5th will see the focus of the cricketing world change from South Africa to England for the second Twenty20 World Cup. India won the inaugural tournament just two years ago beating favourites Australia and Pakistan along the way to cause something of an upset. But can the team ranked third in the world defend their crown or will Pakistan get their revenge. We take a look at the top contenders and tell you were you should place your free bet from www.sportsbet.com.au
Pakistan $9.00
At $9.00 Pakistan start this Twenty20 World Cup as something of an outside bet. While there is no doubt that Pakistan have talent on the pitch with the likes of all rounder Shahid Afridi and captain Younis Khan, off field problems have knocked the confidence out of the side. The Pakistan backroom staff feel that the squad needs to work on their mental toughness have hired a psychologist to help with their preparations. But I feel that their total lack of cricket this year will mean they go in to this one totally under prepared, so if I am being honest I wouldn’t waste my money on this one.
India $4.00
India start this year’s Twenty20 World Cup as the hot favourites to retain their title and it is no wonder. Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni and Zaheer Khan are all in great form, and the truth is that if they all click they are going to very hard to beat. At $4.00 to win the tournament they are definitely worth a punt, but remember this is Twenty20 cricket and anything is possible.
Australia $4.50
Australia love to win, they love to dominate and in the past they have done just that. They were really disappointed not to make it to the Twenty20 World Cup final in 2007 and will definitely be up for this one. The problem is that some of their big hitters like Matthew Hayden and Shane Warne have retired, Brett Lee is only just coming back from injury and Andrew Symonds has totally lost the plot. So do they have enough to win? Hey this is Australia can you ever count them out. Well worth a free bet.
South Africa $5.00
South Africa recently spent a brief time as the number one ranked test team in the world. They beat Australia in Australia to gain the number one spot only to lose it when Australia beat them 2-1 in the return test series in South Africa. They do have a better Twenty20 record than any other nation but their inconsistency, which also showed itself in the 2007 Twenty20 World Cup, could very well be their undoing. But at $5.00 the Proteas are a decent outside bet.
England $9.00
England have just named Paul Collingwood as their Captain for the Twenty20 World Cup to be held on their home soil. But with Andrew Flintoff dropping out of the IPL with an injury and Kevin Pieterson continuously cracking the shits when things don’t go his way it would take a brave man to bet on them. Then again if Flintoff does get fit in time and Pieterson pulls his head in they might just surprise everybody. Get your free $50 bet at www.betfair.com.au
