World Cup Betting: Canada v Kenya

Match Previews / Ed Hawkins / 06 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

Will Steve Tikolo be in the runs against Canada?

"Canada's head-to-head record against the Kenyans is impressive. They have won their last three; by three, six and nine wickets respectively."

Ed Hawkins has identified Canada as a value bet for this contest in Delhi on Monday with their African opponents failing to impress

London start time: 09.00

Team news
Kenya and Canada meet in what both teams will probably regard as their most important match of the tournament. The losers can be sure of the 'weakest team' tag.

Canada have at least caused a Test side problems, but Kenya have done nothing of the sort. The Canadians troubled Pakistan and count themselves unlucky that they came up against a combination Shahid Afridi and UDRS.

John Davison, the 40-year-old opener who shot to prominence with a quick ton against West Indies in the 2003 jamboree, is a doubt with a groin problem. He missed the match against Pakistan. Nitish Kumar, 16, will continue in the opening berth.

The Obuya boys, Collins and David, are the only Kenyan batsmen to show decent form. They both scored 50s against Sri Lanka.

Venue and conditions
The Feroz Shah Kotla has staged only two matches so far and both saw West Indies bat first. The Windies were going well against South Africa before the spinners got hold of them and they collapsed to 222 all out. But against the Netherlands they posted 330. It would suggest quality spin makes a difference. That won't be on display today.

Match odds
Kenya are as short as [1.85] for victory and although they are ranked two places above Canada, we cannot reckon that is value. Kenya have been pathetic in each of their three outings and we would be more comfortable with their odds if this was an even-money affair.

Instead we'll happily back Canada at [2.14]. Don't go nuts with your stakes, however. Backing Canada to win a cricket match is far from an exact science.

But we have seen enough to call them as value. Against Pakistan they bowled with discipline while they at least had a spell in the game against Zimbabwe when they reduced their opponents to seven for two.

Their head-to-head record against the Kenyans is also impressive. They have won their last three; by three, six and nine wickets respectively.

Top batsman - Canada
Zubin Surkari is one to watch. He top scored the last time the sides met in July. He'll go off at around [5.50]. Davison, if fit, comes under Any Other, which is priced at [3.00]. Jimmy Hansra, at around [5.00] is their top runscorer in the tournament.

Top batsman - Kenya
There doesn't seem much point in looking past the Obuya brothers and Steve Tikolo. Collins is expected to be available at [4.50] and David [6.00]. Tikolo is a [6.50] chance.

Featured market
190, 153, 113, 189, 230 are the last five first-innings totals in matches between these two (the first three by Kenya). It would be a surprise if a total of 250 was posted first up on a tacky surface.

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World Cup Betting: Sri Lanka v Kenya

Match Previews / Ed Hawkins / 28 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Lasith Malinga could return

"There have been reports of discord in the Kenya camp with players squaring up (idealogically) to coach Eldine Baptiste. "

It's back to the one-sided contests as Sri Lanka host Kenya in Colombo on Tuesday. Ed Hawkins analyses this one. Follow him on Twitter here

London start time: 09.00

Team news
From the sublime to the ridiculous. Following the thrilling clash between India and England in Bangalore, Sri Lanka meet Kenya in a potentially soporific affair.

It would be good if the hosts could unleash Lasith Malinga, the wild fast bowler, to help ensure proceedings are wrapped up quickly. Malinga is yet to play and it would be wise if he was given a cosy route back. Game time for one of their most potent weapons is important.

The very least we expect of an associate team is pluck. But that may be missing from Kenya. There have been reports of discord in the camp with players squaring up (idealogically) to coach Eldine Baptiste.

"The coach has his own way of doing things which did not go down well with some senior players," Kenya chief Samir Inamdar said. "But ultimately, the coach has a duty to do and the players as well have a duty. I hope they will overcome those differences and play well."

Venue and conditions
The RPS in Colombo is a good batting wicket, as proved by the 543 runs scored between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Pakistan won that game as the toss bias proved to be reliable.

The side that bats first has now won 15 of the last 19. That shouldn't concern Sri Lanka this time, however.

Kenya have been bowled out for 112 (against Pakistan) and 69 (against New Zealand) so far. They may improve slightly but it would be a surprise if they breached 200.

Match odds
Kenya are as big as [36.00] and when a side is so massive it takes very little for them to shorten enough for a worthwhile back-to-lay. On the flip side, it will not take must for them to double in price especially if Sri Lanka bat first.

Top batsman - Sri Lanka
Mahela Jayawardene is [5.10] for honours and he may be the best bet in this market. Of course openers Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan are favoured to go well - they are around [2.40] - but they have looked a little cumbersome so far.

Top batsman - Kenya
Collins Obuya (61) has almost twice as many runs as Seren Waters (33). Both men can be backed at [4.00]. Steve Tikolo is the same price.

Featured market one
There were only three sixes in the previous match at the RPS. And there were only two struck by Sri Lanka against Canada. Between 0-4 sixes is the jolly at [1.40]. Between 5-7 and eight or more are both around [1.70].

Featured market two
Malinga will be included under Any Other for top Sri Lanka bowler if you reckon pace will be Kenya's undoing as it was against New Zealand. The problem is spin was their undoing against Pakistan. And you might have heard that Sri Lanka are well stocked in that department.

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World Cup Betting: Kenya v Pakistan

Match Previews / Ed Hawkins / 22 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Shoaib Akhtar should trouble Kenya

"Despite Pakistan’s previous problems with spot-fixing, it would be remarkable if there was to be anything untoward taking place in this contest in terms of the result"

It's another mismatch in the tournament but there are still betting options for this contest in Hambantota on Wednesday as Ed Hawkins explains. Follow him on Twitter here.

Team news
Pakistan, the pariahs of the world game, begin their campaign for forgiveness against Kenya and they do so with an embarrassment of riches in terms of talent, which makes it hard not to believe they have been underrated for glory.

They have one of best squads on show with Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul and Wahab Riaz masters with new ball, old ball and at the death, while Shahid Afridi leads a mini army of spinners. Such is their depth that fearsome hitter and occasional opening bowler Abdul Razzaq may be left out.

Kenya, humiliated by New Zealand in barely 30 overs in their first match, should be no match for Pakistan. Jimmy Kamande, the captain, promised an improvement. They could hardly be any worse.

Venue and conditions
The Mahinda Rajapaksha stadium has hosted the one game so far and although it could be perceived as premature to judge a wicket after one viewing, we know a sluggish one when we see one. Sure, Sri Lanka may have amassed 332 against Canada but the home side are used to such surfaces and it was obvious watching batsmen mistime at the start of an innings that it was slow. This will suit Pakistan. Kenya will find it alien.

Match odds
Despite Pakistan's previous problems with spot-fixing, it would be remarkable if there was to be anything untoward taking place in this contest in terms of the result. Not that anyone will be betting Pakistan at skinny odds of [1.05]. Kenya are [18.00] and if you have to play this market then the African side are a back-to-lay option. Remarkably a similar trade would have paid off - providing you were quick - against New Zealand.

Top batsman - Pakistan
Misbah-ul-Haq is the man in form for Pakistan with a couple of fifties in the recent series against New Zealand and a century in the warm-up match against Bangladesh. He is [6.00] for top-bat honours. Younis Khan, with 80 in the warm-up loss to England, is [5.00].

Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez, probably the two weakest openers in the tournament from a Big Eight perspective, are both [2.60]. Kamran Akmal could also open, however and is [4.00]. The value looks to lie with Any Other at [7.00], however. You will have Afridi, Razzaq and Umar Akmal batting for you among the rest.

Top batsman - Kenya
Seren Waters and Rakep Patel were joint top scorers with 16 runs against New Zealand. Collins Obuya, the former Warwickshire legspinner, hit the heights of 14. Not surprisingly the market is a confused one. Waters, Patel, Obuya and the trusty veteran Steve Tikolo are all [5.00]. In what is perhaps a sign of wishful thinking, [3.00] is the price for Any Other.

Featured market
It was the pace of New Zealand's Hamish Bennett which accounted for Kenya against New Zealand. Hurling it fast and full he was too much for them. So what could Shoaib Akhtar achieve? He could be worth following for top Pakistan bowler.

Best bet: back SHoaib for top bowler at [3.00]

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Cricket World Cup Betting: Kenya v New Zealand

Match Previews / Ed Hawkins / 19 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Daniel Vettori leads the Kiwis

"Back Kenya at the odds in the anticipation they get a foothold and lay off for three or more points"

Ed Hawkins reckons the Kiwis will not have it all their own way against Kenya when the sides meet in Chennai early on Sunday

London start time: 04.00

Team news
New Zealand's preparation for their opening match have been hampered by the potential loss of offspinner Nathan McCullum. He has been in hospital with a high fever.

McCullum will be a big loss to the Kiwis. He has established himself as the second spinner behind Daniel Vettori. Luke Woodcock, a left-arm spinner with only two ODIs to his name, is the probable replacement.

Kenya look to have been in decent touch in the warm-ups. They beat Afghanistan, Ireland, looked capable against West Indies before losing
to Netherlands by two wickets. Veteran Steve Tikolo smashed a ton versus Afghanistan.

Venue and conditions
There have been five ODIs completed at the Chidambaram stadium in Chennai since 2000. During that period the average first-innings score is 251. New Zealand, however, were bowled out for just 103 there against India at the end of last year. Seven of the wickets fell to spinners.

This should favour Vettori, although Kenya's Shem Ngoche, a slow left-armer, has a good economy rate in the last 12 months while offie Jimmy Kamande took three wickets in the warm-up against Afghanistan.

Match odds
New Zealand are [1.08] to get their campaign off to a good start. Kenya are [11.00]. It doesn't take a genius to work out the Kiwis are the better side. But will they prove to be the better side throughout a potential 100 overs? We don't think so.

This is one of the most limited sides New Zealand have ever sent to a World Cup. They have suffered 13 losses in their last 15, including a 0-9 record in India and Bangladesh.

Back Kenya at the odds in the anticipation they get a foothold and lay off for three or more points. If New Zealand bat first, it might pay to wait until after the powerplay overs because they are likely to lengthen quickly, just as Bangladesh did on day one.

Top batsman - Kenya
Collins Obuya is Kenya's top runscorer in the last 12 months. He used to be known as a specialist legspinner but has reinvented himself. He is priced at [3.00] under Any Other. Tikolo remains their best batsman, though, and his far better value at [4.00]

Top batsman - New Zealand
Brendon McCullum, at [3.50] and Martin Guptill, at [3.00] are the Kiwi openers and they will be expected to get them off to a quick start.

Other featured market
McCullum is [2.18] to score a 50.

Best bet: Back Kenya at [11.00] to trade

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