The Three Big Questions
Have India returned to form, are they a chance now?
Bowling woes aside, India have been in some okay form during the majority of their Australian tour. Their batsman were competent in the test series, they scored some runs in the Carlton Mid Series, and have now scored 300+ against two top tier nations in their opening match of the Cricket World Cup. Therefore, they haven’t returned to form, they have just had one of their top six score big runs as they have done all summer, and now their bowlers are looking much more comfortable when defending scores of over 300. We’re convinced they’ll make the semi-finals, but to go further they need a big hundred (which we’ve seen from Sharma, Dhawan, Rahane, Kohli so far this tour), and their bowlers to bowl to a new simple dot ball pressure blowing plan.
What about England?
Less of a chance for India that is for sure. Too many similar players in both the batting and bowling departments. In Root, Ballance, Bell and Taylor (even Morgan in current form) you have smaller players who rely on gaps, timing and deflections rather than power. That’s fine on the bigger grounds and, crucially, when the players are in form, but that’s not the case at the moment. Joe Buttler is their only MS Dhoni, whereas New Zealand have McCullum, Taylor, Anderson and Ronchi. Australia have Marsh, Warner, Finch, Maxwell, Faulkner. They can’t compete. Their bowlers too won’t offer enough to worry the best in the world. Finn, Woakes and Broad hit the pitch hard, they rarely swing it down under. That presents a problem, as Brendon McCullum pointed out.
And South Africa?
South Africa looked surprisingly, but completely, off the mark against India. Bereft of ideas, and lacking individual accountability. We mentioned after their first up effort against Zimbabwe that the top four wouldn’t fail cumulatively again in the tournament. But they did. du Plessis got a few but the form of Amla, de Kock and de Villiers is now reaching concerning levels. They need a quick spark to prevent the dreaded c-word surfacing.
Today’s Matchup
West Indies v Zimbabwe, Manuka Oval (Canberra – scattered thunderstorms expected), starts 2:30pm local time
West Indies – $1.20
Zimbabwe – $4.50
The West Indies may have turned a corner with their strong win against Pakistan over the weekend. After splitting their games in New Zealand, they now travel to Australia to get the better of Zimbabwe, who themselves had one win and one loss in New Zealand. West Indies shouldn’t be short of runs. Most of their batsman have enjoyed sufficient time in the middle to again be profitable in this match, while Jerome Taylor and the bowlers have also begun to show more mettle.
Zimbabwe have also been more than useful in their two showings. Giving South Africa a run before chasing down 285 to win against UAE. The Zimbabweans will need to improve their fielding and catching if they are to go toe to toe with their unpredictable opponents in this one. We’re picking a West Indies win.
Today’s Bet
Chris Gayle has not started the tournament well, but we’re thinking today will be his day. He’s at his best when he’s bullying opponents from the outset, and Zimbabwe could be on the receiving end. He’s at $4 to top score, a West Indies win with him top scoring is paying $5, and Gayle’s at $7 to be named man of the match.
Odds from Sportsbet Australia.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
