Welcome to Betcirca’s coverage of the 2015 Cricket World Cup. We’ll be bringing you a preview and a recap of each and everyday of the tournament – posing three important questions about the day’s play or the tournament thus far. We’ll also preview each game with odds from BetEasy, while also keeping an eye on tournament betting odds and the leading wicket takers and run scorers.
Welcome to Day One.
The Three Big Questions
Of the spate of injuries and withdrawals announced so far, whose is the most worrying for their team’s chances?
Mohammad Hafeez, Ishant Sharma, Sunil Narine, Junaid Khan, and James Faulkner have all either pulled out of the tournament or have had their chances of playing a part diminished on account of injury or bowling action concerns. Of those, two stick out as crucial. Narine has confused batsman for years and might just be the best limited overs bowler going around. After remodelling his action he was back to his best in a recent match for Trinidad & Tobago where he took 6/9, but has pulled out over doubts about his new action. He’s a huge loss for a West Indies team that is lacking in inspiration and likely to struggle at the Cricket World Cup.
Likewise, Faulkner is one of the best death hitters in the business, as well as contributing key overs when required. His injury is not expected to keep him out of the entire tournament but if kept out of the knockout stages is a huge blow to Australia’s chances.
Will this be the year New Zealand finally gets past the semi-finals?
The six-time semi finalists have never made it to the showcase event of a Cricket World Cup. Neither have they ever really been expected to though (save for 1992 when they were arguably the form team during the round robin stages). 2015 is different. The Black Caps are being backed heavily by experts and amateurs alike. They have a balanced side, form, and home soil as factors aiding their cause. But we’re of the view that they won’t like the added pressure or expectation of being contenders. They’ll be beaten by eventual finalists South Africa or Australia in the semi…again.
Will Michael Clarke’s inclusion hinder or help the Australians?
There has been plenty of media coverage about whether the Australian team is more harmonious with or without Michael Clarke. The team has thrived with Steven Smith (or George Bailey) at the helm, and the uncertainty over Clarke’s fitness and his differences with the bosses of Cricket Australia, could become an unwelcome distraction as the home team attempt to life their fifth Cricket World Cup. The one thing in Clarke’s favour is Bailey’s woeful form. Despite being more destructive than Clarke at his best, Bailey’s recent woes will mean Clarke slots straight back in, and Australia are better for it.
Today’s Matchups
1. New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Hagley Oval (Christchurch – overcast conditions forecasted), starts 11:00am local time.
New Zealand – $1.52
Sri Lanka – $2.55
Having just beaten Sri Lanka 4-2 in a pre-tournament series, New Zealand start as obvious favourites. New Zealand were clinical in most of their efforts in the series and also followed up with a 2-0 win over Pakistan. However, they were troubled at times (falling to 5 down for less than 150 on three occasions), and add to the the Lasith Malinga factor and this one could be much closer than the odds suggest.
2. Australia v England, Melbourne Cricket Ground (Melbourne – chance of showers), starts 2:30pm local time
Australia – $1.36
England – $3.15
The second game of the day also features two teams who have only recently squared off. During the Carlton Mid Tri-Series Australia beat England on three occasions (two of them emphatically and one where they chased down over 300). Australia are therefore overwhelming favourites and should be too strong at the home of Australian cricket.
Today’s Multi
The World Cup Welcome ‘W’ Multi
Kane Williamson (Top Score) + Shane Watson (Top Score) – $18.75
