We take a look at the two ICC T20 World Cup matches taking place on Thursday and suggest a bet in each.
AUSTRALIA v BANGLADESH
This critical match takes place in Dubai and Proteas fans will be watching and hoping that Bangladesh can pull off a surprise.
Australia currently sit 3rd in Group 1, 2 points behind South Africa in 2nd, but having played a game less while Bangladesh have lost all 4 of their matches despite being competitive at times.
Australia opened with wins over South Africa and Sri Lanka, but they found England too strong in their last start which took place in Dubai. England won the toss and elected to field first and Australia were quickly in trouble with an early dismissal of Warner. Finch eventually top scored with 44 as they reached a 125 all out in their 20 overs.
The English knocked off the runs with 8 overs and 8 wickets to spare and from a bowling perspective Agar was the pick with 1 for 15 in his 2.4 overs.
Bangladesh almost beat Sri Lanka in their first match, but since then they have suffered a heavy defeat to England and they have also lost to the West Indies and South Africa. The South African defeat was particularly disappointing as they were sent in to bat and bowled out for 84 runs with that game taking place in Abu Dhabi. Only 2 players reached 20 runs with Mahedi Hasan top scoring with 27 at just over a run a ball down the order.
The Proteas reached the target with 4 wickets down and just 6.5 overs to spare. Openers, Ahmed and Islam both bowled well with Ahmed getting 2 for 18 at 4.5 an over and Islam no wickets for 15 runs, but going for just 3.75 runs per over.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Australia 1/6
Bangladesh 9/2
Suggested Bet: Pre-Match Handicap, Bangladesh (+6.5) Wickets / 29.5 runs at 9/10
Bangladesh haven't been quite as bad as their log position suggests, and by the same token Australia haven't really convinced me this Tournament. I am expecting an improved performance from Bangladesh, although I am not sure that they can win the game so I am leaving the 9/2 about a win and going for them to beat the handicap.
Suggested Bet: Top Home Batsman, Smith at 7/2
No strong motivation behind this one just a feeling that Steve Smith is going to come good.
WEST INDIES v SRI LANKA
This match takes place in Abu Dhabi and pits 4th in Group 1, Sri Lanka against 5th placed West Indies. Sri Lanka are definitely going home, don’t hold me to it, but the West Indies may still have a mathematical chance, but nothing more than that of going through.
Sri Lanka got their campaign off to a decent start with a victory over Bangladesh, but they have since lost to South Africa and England, all be it they were competitive in both games and certainly more competitive than many have been against the English. They managed to restrict England to 163 for 4 after sending them in and Hasaranga De Silva took 3 for 21 in his 4 overs to be the pick of the bowlers. They were then bowled out for 137, losing by 26 runs and De Silva was once again the star for Sri Lanka with 34 off 21 balls.
West Indies have been one of the disappointments of the tournament opening with big defeats to England and the Proteas before coming out on top by 3 runs in a must win clash against Bangladesh. Their opponents sent them into bat and they reached 142/7 with Pooran the top scorer with a quickfire 40 off 22 balls.
They then restricted Bangladesh to 139/5 with solid bowling performances all around,
BETTING – Click here to bet
West Indies 4/6
Sri Lanka 5/4
Suggested Bet: Sri Lanka win at 5/4
The bookies appear to have priced this one on reputation rather than performance and I think Sri Lanka are good value to win the match against a West Indian side that have just failed to fire.
Suggested Bet: Top West Indian Batsman, Hetmyer at 11/2
This man has so much potential, but has thrown his wicket away a few times, I am hoping he gets his head raised right and plays a good knock to deliver this bet at what looks a generous price.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
