India take on Australia in the final of the Cricket World Cup in Ahmedabad on Sunday and “The Don” nails up his picks with @Olimp_SA
BETTING
India 1.43
Australia 2.7
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INDIA
India were unbeaten in the group stages winning all 9 of their matches and they faced New Zealand in Wankhede in their semi-final where they scored 397 for 4 in their 50 overs and bowled New Zealand out for 327 in the 49th over for a 70 run win.
Virat Kohli now looks an unassailable lead in the most runs scored with 711 runs at an average of 101.57. Mohammed Shami has also raced the top of the bowler’s standings with 23 wickets thanks to his 7 for 57 against New Zealand in the semi-final.
AUSTRALIA
Australia lost their opening two games of the Cricket World Cup, but stormed back to win the next 7 in the group stages to finish 3rd on the log.
They were slight favourites against South Africa in their semi-final where they lost the toss and were asked to field. The Australian bowlers were quickly on top of the South Africans, bowling them all out for 212 and they got home after a prolonged run chase to win by 3 wickets with just under 3 overs to spare.
David Warner has been Australia’s Top Batsman and he scored 528 runs at an average of 52.8 and Mitch Marsh who has played one innings less has scored 426 runs at an average of 53.25.
Adam Zampa still has a chance of being Top Bowler and in fact prior to Shami’s 7 wicket haul he looked almost certain to finish on top of the pile with his 22 wickets achieved at an average of 21.4 runs each. Josh Hazlewood is the next Australian in the wicket taking column with 14 wickets at an average of 27.78.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
These sides met in the group stages with Australia winning the toss and electing to bowl first. They were bowled out for 199 with Steve Smith top scoring with 46 and for India, Jadeja picked up 3 for 28 in his 10 overs. India knocked off the runs with almost 9 overs to spare and Rahul top scored with 97 while Kohli also contributed 85 runs. The Aussies, Hazlewood picked up 3 for 38 in his 9 overs.
THE DON’S PLAY – Virat Kohli to be Top Indian Batsman at 5/2
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Kohli has been super consistent and I see no reason for his run of excellent form to come to a halt. He tends to pace himself throughout the innings while others bat around him and has every chance of another big contribution from the best batsman in the Tournament.
THE DON’S PLAY – David Warner, Top Australian Batsman at 7/2
Warner scored 41 in the first meeting between these sides and while he hasn’t been as consistent as Kohli he is prolific at the top of the order and I fancy he will have to go big for Australia to have a chance in this game.
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All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
