Cricket World Cup Betting: Canada v Zimbabwe

Match Previews / Andrew Hughes / 27 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Back Brendan to top score

"Brendon Taylor is the classiest bat in the Zimbabwe line-up and though he struggled against Australia’s pace bowlers, Canada’s medium pace dobblers should be much more to his liking."

Both these teams were thrashed in their opening fixtures but this is a chance for two of the Group A minnows to get a win on the board

London Start Time: 04:00
Venue and Conditions
A slow but true pitch and a fast outfield had characterised the three ODIs played at this ground, including England's win over Netherlands last week. So Friday's low scoring affair between Australia and New Zealand was a slight surprise, as was the variable bounce. That said, even if the pitch is wearing a little, neither of these sides have the quick bowlers to exploit it in the way that Australia did.

Team News
Canada opted to protect their talented youngsters Hiral Patel and Nitish Kumar for their opening game against Sri Lanka, but after a woeful batting performance, both are likely to get their chance here. Zimbabwe will probably be unchanged, though they may consider bringing all-rounder Greg Lamb for Regis Chakabva.

Match Odds
This is an intriguing match-up between two improving Associate teams. Though both were blown away by top class seam and pace bowling in their opening games, it has to be remembered that they were up against two of the tournament favourites. Canada do have one or two exciting young batsmen and could cause a surprise here, but at [1.23] I'm going to side with Zimbabwe, who have the stronger bowling and who put in a sparkling fielding performance against Australia.

Top Batsman
Rizwan Cheema caught the headlines pre-tournament with his innings against England and top scored against Sri Lanka, but the reliable selection in the Canadian line up is dependable accumulator Ashish Bagai, who can be backed at [5.5]

Brendan Taylor is the classiest bat in the Zimbabwe line-up and though he struggled against Australia's pace bowlers, Canada's medium pace dobblers should be much more to his liking. He should be backed at [4.0] or better

Featured Market
The average number of fours in ODIs at this ground is 50 so you should consider backing '50 or more' in the Total Fours market at [2.25] or better

Best Bet

Back Brendan Taylor to top score for Zimbabwe at [4.0]

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Cricket World Cup Betting: Australia v Zimbabwe

Match Previews / Ed Hawkins / 20 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Shane Watson could be a good bet for 50

"Of the 11 instances of associate nations beating Test-ranked sides at
World Cups, nine occurred when the underdogs were defending"

Ed Hawkins would like to back the Zimbabweans for glory in Ahmedabad on Monday but a more cautious approach is advised

London start time: 09.00

Team news
Ricky Ponting plays his first game after recovering from a broken finger while Steve Smith is also fit following a hip problem. Jason Krejza will be the main spinner, though and Australia must decide whether Shaun Tait or Doug Bollinger claims the final fast-bowling spot.

Seam bowler Ed Rainsford was injured in Zimbabwe's final warm-up match - a four-wicket loss to Ireland - meaning Tinashe Panyangara has a chance to come into the XI.

Venue and conditions
The average first-innings total in the last 10 ODIs at Ahmedabad's Sardar Patel stadium is a massive 282. Six sides have passed 300 or more in those matches. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 85 there against West Indies in 2006 and 141 against Sri Lanka just a few weeks later. If Australia bat first, check prices for them to breach 300.

Match odds
Australia have a weakness against spin bowling it would appear. In their warm-up matches against India and South Africa they have been strangled by the spinners and on the face of it, Zimbabwe look capable of tying them in knots, too. The slow-bowling of Prosper Utseya, Ray Price and Graeme Cremer could be a potential threat.

But what stops us supporting Zimbabwe at [21.00] outright - Australia are [1.04] - is that the pitch doesn't appear to suit spin. Of the top 10 wicket-takers in the last 10 ODIs, only three are twirlers. And the surface looks so good for batting that it seems hard to see Australia getting bogged down, especially with Shane Watson so dangerous at the top of the order.

The best advice is to back Zimbabwe only if they bat first because they should be capable of runs. Once the market recognises they are no mugs with the bat, a back-to-lay should present itself.

Of the 11 instances of associate nations beating Test-ranked sides at World Cups, nine occurred when the underdogs were defending

Top batsman - Australia
Runs have come at the top of the order in matches at this ground so Watson is an understandable favourite at [3.15]. You can also back him for a 50 at [2.00]. He has had 16 scores between 30 and 70 in the 27 matches he has played in the past 13 months. Ponting is [5.00] for top bat and [1.90] for a 50.

Top batsman - Zimbabwe
Brendan Taylor is head and shoulders above the rest of his batting teammates in terms of talent. In the last 12 months he has 723 runs. Tatendu Taibu, his nearest rival, has 574. Taylor is [4.00] for honours while one would expect Taibu to be a little bigger than [4.70] given the statistics. Taylor is [2.40] for a 50.

Featured market
There have been four centuries in the last two matches and in an immature market you can get [1.70] about a fifth.
Best bets: back-to-lay Zimbabwe if they bat first at around [18.00], back S Watson for a 50 at [2.00]

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