Cricket World Cup 2019 Betting & Tips - New Zealand The Value Alternative To England

Paul Krishnamurty

May 23rd, 2019

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Quick Tips:

• England to win the league stage at 13/8 with Coral
• New Zealand to win the Cricket World Cup outright each-way at 12/1 Unibet

27 years after their last decent Cricket World Cup - a tournament they have never won - English cricket fans are pinching themselves. At a best-priced 2/1 with William Hill, the host nation is among the shortest ever priced favourites with the best Cricket betting sites for the trophy.

Morgan's men taking the game to new levels

Four years ago, they started with low expectations and underperformed, exiting at the group stage. Almost overnight, the team was transformed under new captain Eoin Morgan into a pioneering, record-breaking outfit. They boast the deepest and most explosive batting line-up in history and, at least to date, few sides look capable of living with them.

Any lingering doubts were dispelled in the recent 4-0 thrashing of Pakistan. This despite their opponents - winners of the last major ODI competition, the 2017 Champions Trophy - scoring 340 runs in three of their four innings. Against this England side, what were once near-certain winning totals are barely competitive.

Critically, they bat all the way down to Adil Rashid 11, enabling T20-style strategy. Jonny Bairstow - magnificent during the IPL - can tee off alongside Jason Roy from the outset, safe in the knowledge that others will pick up the mantle. Jos Buttler has become one of the world’s great limited overs batsmen.

Of course like any favourite, there are arguments against. England’s bowling is less potent than their main rivals, most notably India. Home advantage could generate extra pressure - although the last two World Cups were won by the hosts.

These outright Cricket Betting odds are short enough, considering the title will ultimately boil down to two knockout matches for which there could be a significant toss advantage. Note they were a very warm order when easing into the ICC Champions Trophy on home soil two summers ago, only to post a poor total in the semi against Pakistan.

Cream should rise to top in league stage

For those reasons, I would much rather take Coral’s offer of 13/8 about them winning the league stage than backing them to win the tournament. The ten countries will all play one another in a round-robin format, with the top-four progressing to the semis. Over so many matches, the formbook should stand up.

That certainly favours England and India. Indeed Virat Kohli’s men have similarly rock-solid claims. They have the batting power to chase any target and a bowling attack that is both deadly and economical. It would be a major shock were either to fail to reach the semis.

The only other team at single figure odds are perhaps the hardest to predict. Australia are the masters of 50 over cricket - winning four of the last five World Cups. Six months ago they were a team in crisis following the bans handed out to Steve Smith and David Warner. Of ten matches against England in 2018, they lost nine.

Then to general surprise, they turned it around with eight consecutive wins in India and the UAE - two locations where one would assume their style of play was disadvantaged. With Smith and Warner returning and English conditions that will better aid their pace attack, the Aussies are right back in the reckoning.

Saffers boast formidable bowling pedigree

While the top-three are unarguably strong, don’t dismiss the rest. At least seven of the ten countries have genuine hopes of reaching the semis at least. At 10/1 with Coral, South Africa for once start with lower title expectations and that could help. A bowling attack led by Kagiso Rabada and Imran Tahir could devastate any side.

Despite their recent loss to England, Pakistan have major championship pedigree and no shortage of talent. West Indies boast an extraordinary array of batting power but have plenty to prove in terms of consistency. On the IPL evidence, Andre Russell could be player of the tournament.

Black Caps stronger than ever

For me, the value alternative is New Zealand at 12/1 with Unibet . Few if any sporting nations are more admirable - repeatedly punching above their weight. This side really began to thrive in the last World Cup, before letting themselves down in the final, and have maintained solid form since.

In Kane Williamson, they have arguably the best captain. Along with Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls, that trio amount to a formidable batting core. There are few more dangerous pace bowlers than Trent Boult, especially in English conditions, and he is ably backed up Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee and Ish Sodhi.

Doubts persist regarding whether they are quite good enough to beat the big-guns - England and India both bossed them in recent series. Nevertheless, they have the all-round balance that is perfect for limited overs cricket and the semis are well within range. After that, anything can happen.