Betfair Official Blog

Twenty20 Cricket World Cup - Australia v England betting and odds preview

Cricket's two oldest rivals do battle again this month (September 14), as Australia and England meet at the Twenty20 World Cup and the betting opportunities will add to the massive interest.

Australia head the odds to win the inaugural international Twenty20 tournament and there will be plenty of punters lining up to take a bet on Ricky Ponting's side.

Despite not playing much domestic Twenty20, many betting punters expect the one-day world champions to dominate the shortest version of the game as well.

Those customers checking out the odds for Ponting's men should note that the Australians do currently enjoy a winning record going into the Twenty20 World Cup, having won three of their five matches.

The Aussies, who have been boosted by the news that all-rounder Shane Watson will be fit, will also be popular in the batting and bowling betting markets with Ponting smashing the highest score to date (98 not out against New Zealand) and Andrew Symonds currently second in the wicket taking charts (seven in four matches).

Those who fancy a bet on an upset will remember England's Twenty20 success over their rivals back in 2005, when the defeat Ponting's men by 100 runs. Betting punters should also consider though that the two teams did meet again in 2007, and it was Australia who came out on top by 77 runs.

Captain Paul Collingwood is England's best performer with the bat and ball and there will be plenty of interest in the Durham ace in the individual betting markets.

Those punters seeking a bet on the total number of fours and sixes in the match will be looking to the likes Adam Gilchrist, Kevin Pieterson and Matthew Hayden to deliver the goods, although the two captains top the six-hitting charts ahead of the tournament.

• Cricket
• Twenty20