The second semi-final at the Cricket World Cup sees two old rivals renew hostilities. So let’s preview the match and explore the current World Cup odds for England v Australia.
The Ashes are on the horizon. Before then, though, England and Australia lock horns at Lord’s to see who will take their place in Sunday’s final.
What are the World Cup odds for England v Australia?
It would be fair to say that the momentum of these two teams is rather contrasting heading into this last four clash at Edgbaston on Thursday.
England confirmed their place in the semi-finals with a convincing 119-run victory over New Zealand. A century for Jonny Bairstow and three wickets for Mark Wood were the highlights in a dominant display from the Three Lions.
As for Australia, their preparations are in disarray after a costly and surprising 10-run loss to South Africa. That prevented them from topping the group – and playing the Kiwis in the semi-final. Meanwhile, injuries to Usman Khawaja and Marcus Stoinis suffered in that defeat could punish them further.
As such, England are a warm favourite with the bookmakers to win this one. Cricket bettors can get betting odds of 1.67 with Betway on the hosts reaching the final. Australia, on the other hand, are down but not out at 2.20 with bet365.
But the smart World Cup satta is on England, who boast far more depth both in batting and bowling than the Aussies. A raucous crowd at Edgbaston will cheer them home.
Match Odds Summary: England 1.67 (Betway – Editor’s Pick), Australia 2.20 (bet365).
What are the top batsman World Cup odds for England v Australia?
– England Batsman Picks
Mitchell Starc, the leading wicket taker in CWC ’19, has done the bulk of his damage at the end of the innings when the ball begins to reverse swing. Therefore, both England openers are sound value in this market.
Bairstow (4.00 with Betway) has back-to-back centuries to his name. Nevertheless, he struggled against Starc and JP Behrendorff in the group game against Australia. So perhaps Roy is the play at 4.33 with Betway. He has made consecutive scores in the 60s, thus the form is there.
Joe Root (4.00 with bet365) has made exactly 500 runs in the tournament so far. He hasn’t quite been at his best in his last two innings, though. Also, Eoin Morgan (7.00 with bet365), Jos Buttler (7.00 with bet365) and Ben Stokes (11.00 with bet365) may find their time in the middle limited.
– Australia Batsman Picks
As for Australia, they have a 316-run gap to plug if Khawaja fails to shake off his hamstring injury.
They have two of the most prolific opening batsmen in David Warner (3.40 with bet365) and Aaron Finch (4.00 with bet365). The latter, however, has gone off the boil of late. Finch has had scores of just three and eight in his last two innings.
And so Warner, who simply loves scoring runs against England, is the play here.
Peter Handscomb (8.50 with Betway) is set to deputise for Khawaja in what would be his first game of the World Cup. Meanwhile, Steve Smith (4.50 with Betway) will need to improve on a pair of single figure scores in his last two starts.
At the end of the innings, Alex Carey (15.00 with Betway) could be very dangerous indeed. He has scored an impressive 156 runs in his last two knocks.
Top Batsman Odds Summary: England: Bairstow 4.00 (Betway), Root 4.00 (Bet365), Roy 4.33 (Betway – Editor’s Pick), Morgan 7.00 (Bet365), Buttler 7.00 (Bet365), Stokes 11.00 (Bet365).
Australia: Warner 3.40 (Bet365 – Editor’s Pick), Finch 4.00 (Bet365), Smith 4.50 (Betway), Maxwell 8.00 (Bet365), Handscomb 8.50 (Betway), Carey 15.00 (Betway).
What are the top Australia bowler World Cup odds for England v Australia?
It’s a huge surprise to see Mitchell Starc as long as 3.10 to be Australia’s top bowler here.
England’s batsmen don’t have many weaknesses. If they were to have one, though, it might be against left-armers that swing the ball.
Messrs Root, Buttler, Morgan and Stokes have fallen at the hands of Starc, Trent Boult, Isuru Udana and Mustafizur Rahman. Therefore, it’s a simple case of following the trend here.
Top Australia Bowler in Match Odds Summary: Starc 3.10 (Bet365 – Editor’s Pick), Cummins 4.00 (Bet365), Behrendorff 4.50 (Betway), Zampa 6.00 (Betway), Lyon 6.50 (Betway).
