- England no better than 1.491/2 to beat the Windies
- But don't miss Ed's in-play betting strategy
- Wankhede surface suggests runs
- Hope has good record
- Read Wednesday's Tipsheet HERE
- For Betfair's latest cricket betting odds click here
England v West Indies
Wednesday 11 February, 13.30
TV: Live on Sky Sports
England v West Indies T20WC team news
England came away with a bloody nose in victory over Nepal. It might have knocked some sense into them or given them a sharp reminder that there is no room for complaceny. At the halfway point they were sure they had enough.
Twenty overs later they were home by the skin of their teeth and there could be repurcussions. Luke Wood looks vulnerable to either Jamie Overton returning or Josh Tongue being tried. Wood wasn't quite at it in the penultimate over under pressure. It was left to Sam Curran to hold his nerve.
Possible England XI: Salt, Buttler, Bethell, Brook, Banton, Curran, Jacks, Overton, Dawson, Rashid, Archer
West Indies appeared to have an easy win over Scotland in their openrer. But had Roamrio Shepherd not claimed an extraordinary four wickets in one over, they could have come under pressure.
Shepherd hadn't even bowled in their previous T20 and the selection and tactics of the West Indies will no doubt baffle again at some stage. Indeed, don't be surprised to see one of Matthew Forde, Shepherd, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein or Gudakesh Motie promoted up the order at some stage.
England possible XI: Hope, King, Hetmyer, Powell, Rutherford, Shepherd, Forde, Holder, Akeal, Motie, Joseph
England v West Indies T20WC pitch report
The Wankhede is usually good for runs and that holds up in two filters. In the eight night t20i matches at the venue the average run rate comes in at 9.29. In the last three years in IPL (night matches again) the runs per over is 9.3 in 17 matches. There is a toss bias for the latter with ten games won by the chaser.
Given England's bowling woes against Nepal and the long-term view that Windies can go round the park (seventh out of the top nine on economy since the end of the last World Cup, England are eighth by the way) both teams to score 170 at even money could be a relatively stress-free win.
England v West Indies T20WC match prediction
England are 1.491/2 with Windies 3.002/1. Backing an upset is not the worst idea in the world given a surface which could keep the West indies in the game.
One suspects they would need to chase so the complication with taking the odds pre-toss is that they could well be at least a point bigger at the break. Three of Windies' four wins have come when they have batted second in the head-to-head in the last three years.
A basic in-play strategy could see a back of the Windies at an entry point of 4.003/1 and then placing an order to lay in a choice affair at 2.001/1 for an extra 50% on the original 'back' stake.
England v West Indies T20WC player bets
Shai Hope is the top-rated for West Indies in terms of how often he wins and price. Sportsbook's 11/43.75 is far from a mug wager. The 5/61.84 that he busts 22.5 runs is less stressful. He has copped in three of his last five versus England. Rovman Powell will also be all the rage at 7s with a win rate more accustomed to a 4/15.00 chance. Jos Buttler is out of win-rate value now even if he is in the win zone.
Back Shai hope over 22.5 runs