Couch Critic nails up his outright bets for ICC Cricket World Cup including top bat and ball and Player of the Tournament picks.
A SPICY PARTY TO REMEMBER FOR THE MIDDLE CHILD
We have gone past the halfway mark in terms of total matches in the Rugby World Cup but instead of fatigue setting in from this side of the couch I look forward to the mixing things up from a punting perspective as duel focus will now be required between France and India.
It’s Cricket World Cup time and the forgotten middle child of the game – the fifty over format – gets his time to shine. And boy it should get hot under this spot light!
SWINGING FROM THE HIP
The hit and giggle version of the game has impacted on the longer form of white ball action and as such we can expect the ball to pick up more flying miles than Goose and Maverick. I expect to see 350-plus scores being chased down with regularity.
With runs expected to flow I’m backing a bowler to get the nod here as it could prove easier to really stand out compared to your peers in this department. The only thing more effective than a curry in turning a man inside out in India is quality spin bowling. I’m backing India to go deep and Kuldeep to bamboozle all the way from start to finish.
Player of the Tournament – Kuldeep Yadav @ 16/1
I’m surprised to get this big-hitter at such big odds. He might not be likely to get a go near the top of the order but if Brook gets a good knock under his belt early the Poms are sure to try and get him plenty of time at the crease.
Player to score most sixes – Harry Brook @ 25/1
The often-fragile Pakistanis should find conditions to their liking. Amongst the volatile ones there is one man that is as constant as a Swiss watch. Babar is a class act and he comes into the main event fresh off two big fifties in the warm-up outings as well.
Top Tournament Batsman – Babar Azam @ 11/1
OTHER FANCIES
I have thrown my eye over some other exotic plays, and here is where I think the value lies.
Top South Africa Batsman – Heinrich Klaasen @ 6/1
Far and away the form batsman in the SA ranks. Also arguably the best player of spin in the line-up.
Top South African Bowler – K Maharaj @ 10/1 (Sportingbet)
Given conditions as well as the fact that Anrich Nortje is missing from the SA line-up I believe the Raj should play a big part with the ball for the Proteas. Of late he has enjoyed better success than Shamsi and I see this as a good value play.
Top Afghanistan Bowler – Mohammad Nabi @ 10/1 (Sportingbet)
Opponents will fix their full focus on dangerman, Rashid Khan. Often this leads to the star bowler being very economic but not as prolific on the wicket front. Nabi’s eyes often turn more than his deliveries but he is the type who never gives up and never goes away – consistency personified. I am happy to have him playing for my pocket.
Top Sri Lanka Batsman – Kusal Mendis @ 33/10
Hardly a massive price play but I believe Mendis is head and shoulders the pick of the bunch amongst his side. With nine matches to be played as a minimum the odd freak performance will be balanced out over the course of the tournament. I’m backing Kusal to be crowned king at the end of it all.
GOING ALL THE WAY
At the end of the day I have to have an outright play on the comp as a whole as well. I can’t look past a strong showing by the sub-continent sides.
Name the finalists: India v Pakistan @ 8/1
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
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