T20 Cricket World Cup Monday Tipsheet: Canadians have six appeal

• Scots may come unstuck

• Sixes bet appeals for Italians

• Evans the outstanding pick

• Canada striking could impress

• Read the team guide and rankings HERE

• Read our Ultimate Guide to the tournament HERE

• For Betfair's latest cricket betting odds click here

Scotland v Italy

Scotland v Italy
Monday 05.30
TV: live on Sky Sports

The Six Nations derby. Following the turgid defeat for Scotland's rugby union players in Rome on Saturday, could their cricketers face a similar outcome against the Italians? Could we call it a giantkilling? 

Yes and probably not. The Scots showed flashes, as they did with the oval ball, in their tournament opener against West Indies but ultimately they looked underprepared and naive. Losing four wickets in one over, Associate or not, is far from acceptable. And Italy will be encouraged for the debut in the competition. The likely 2.747/4 is not the worst option as they have prepared well.

We know quite a bit about the Scots. They have serviceable operators throughout the XI but rely on brilliance from the likes of George Munsey, Brandon McMullen and Richie Berrington with the bat. Italy have a host of imports you will recognise. County stalwart Wayne Madsen, the Manenti brothers who have been deployed in the Bash and JJ Smuts, the former South Africa all-rounder. Smuts is the big one in this squad.

The contest takes place at Eden Gardens, historically a flat wicket which can produce sixes. The overs sixes line for Italy at 5.5 at even money with Sportsbook could well look cheap indeed if Smuts was to get going. In warm-ups and a three-game series against Ireland with Smuts in the line-up Italy landed a sixes count of: 10-2-6-6-2. The Mosca brothers up front will have a dart, too.

Alternatively going over Smuts runs at 21.5 is an option. Such is his vast experience he will know so much relies on him and in his 231st T20, he should bat accordingly.

Zimbabwe v Oman - Evans top Zimbabwe bowler 4/15.00

Zimbabwe v Oman
Monday 09.30
TV: live on Sky Sports

Zimbabwe versus Oman is probably not the most eagerly-anticipated betting event if the layman was asked to name one. But the layman is not reliable these days. This one has been in the diary and we have a bet to mean it could be edge of the seat stuff.

This is the contest where we get the first opportunity to bet the bowler with the best hit rate on innings wicket-taker market in the world. Step forward Zimbabwe's Brad Evans, who returns at an incredible 52.9% since the end of the last World Cup. That's a very healthy study sample of 17 matches. 

Sportsbook offer 4/15.00 and that has to be a play. He is so big in the market because the likes of Sikander Raza, Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani, simply, are more famous. But they're not as hot as this pacer. 

There are other reasons for this being a corker. There are two top-bat follows with impressive strike rates in the market. Zim opener Brian Bennett has a 36.5% mark and likewise Oman opposite number Jatinder Singh at 40%. Both are 11/43.75. 

South Africa v Canada - back over 3.5 Canada sixes

South Africa v Canada
Monday 13.30
TV: live on Sky Sports

South Africa are well fancied to improve on their runners-up finish. But this is a potentially tricky encounter to start with in Ahmedabad against a Canada team which will give it a go with the bat at least.

They lie third in the table in terms of batting power among the Associate nations (not including former Test nation Zimbabwe) and they could well find the Ahmedabad surface to their liking. 

The trade on their price in the 20.019/1 region is an option on the Exchange but it is toss dependant. If the Saffers were to bat first we may not get the opportunity to get out with minimal price movement.

Perhaps the best angle is Canada's sixes line at 3.5 with Sportsbook. Of course this is a step up in class but the overs 3.5 line is cheap. They average six per game in the last two years. Six-hitting is as much about intent as it is ability and while the former will be impacted by the latter on this occasion, South Africa's bowlers are known for spraying it around.

Read Ed's Team Guide and find out which players to follow in our Ultimate Guide