3 minute read
One of the biggest sporting events this year is the Cricket World Cup and Racing and Sports will cover some of the feature matches of the tournament.
We’ll provide a look at the form going in and a few betting predictions.
AUSTRALIA v PAKISTAN
Wednesday 12 June @ Taunton
A replay of the final from the last time the World Cup was played in Europe shapes as probably critical for both teams.
No doubt more so for Pakistan who would fall to one win from four matches but to be fair they were in a similar position in the 1992 edition down under.
Australia played a pretty decent match to not be blown away by India after Kohli won the toss and batted on a pitch which was clearly two paced after being refreshed from some previous matches.
As the day went on it was slower and more difficult to play fluently. Naturally once they didn’t take early wickets (at one stage 1/220), they were behind in the game.
India are a good team but certainly not unbeatable. However you need to get Kohli and Dhoni in early so they have to defend first rather than play with an easy freedom.
Nathan Coulter-Nile is a concern with the ball. In fact so is Zampa. It is foreseeable that two changes could be in store.
Behrendorff or Richardson could become third seamer but it does reduce the length of the batting. Then again it didn’t help at The Oval.
The main alteration has to be Nathan Lyon. He’s the best spinner in the squad and his guile and ability should be used now.
Pakistan has been their usual yo-yo. So poor against the Windies when skittled for 105, they then rack up 348 for 8 and hold off England. The abandonment of the Sri Lanka match could become vital late in the tournament.
No one made a century at Nottingham when sent in but they had multiple contributers all the way through the innings. England didn’t have the luck with the short ball that the West Indies did.
Babar Azam is probably their most influential batsman but they are always helped when Fakhar and Imam get them moving early.
Wahab Riaz is their comeback man. He hadn’t played since 2017. Few will forget his contretemps with Shane Watson at Adelaide in the last World Cup Quarter Final.
He peppered him with short stuff and had he not had him dropped at fine leg at 3 for 83, it could have turned the course of the match.
Happy to bet Pakistan may let him loose against the batting line up that was a little testy early against a Windian pace battery.
Following some disappointment from Sunday, Australia could face a big challenge against a team with nothing to lose.
Pakistan might be a bet although match betting is tough in this event with constant ebbs and flows.
Did like the way Aaron Finch has started. He was poorly run out before he could unleash in London. Let’s say he’ll make a score again.
Suggested Bets: Aaron Finch – 50+ Runs @ $2.25
Suggested Bets: Babar Azam – Pakistan Hi Bat @ $3.75
