Match Previews / Ed Hawkins / 19 February 2011 /

Second favourites Sri Lanka get their campaign underway on Sunday and Ed Hawkins says the best wagers lie in the top-bat markets

London start time: 09.00

Team news
Sri Lanka, second favourites for glory and many punters' idea of World Cup value, come under the microscope for the first time against Canada. It is true that we are unlikely to garner much about their challenge from this 'contest'.

This is one of the type of matches which eventually will render the group stage a slog through mediocrity. Sri Lanka should thrash a Canada side. It is even wrong to call the Canadians poor, they simply shouldn't be there.

Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara is in good touch following 71 against West Indies. Rangana Herath and Ajantham Mendis will be vying for the second spinner slot.

Canada allrounder Rizwan Cheema made an impressive 93 against England in the warm-up.

Venue and conditions
The Mahinda Rajapaksa stadium is a new venue in Sri Lanka and this will be the first international to be played there. It would be fair to assume the surface should suit spin, and therefore be tricky for Canada to adapt.

Match odds
Often we can try to make a case for a minnow to cause a 'big eight' side problems but not this example. Canada look to have had their day in the sun by giving England a rough time and there is no action to be had on the match odds. The hosts are [1.03] with Canada [27.00].

Top Batsman - Sri Lanka
Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan will be recognised as value. And rightly so. They should relish getting stuck into the Canadian attack and there is always the possibility that the Lankans may be chasing a small target. It is a perfectly acceptable wager to back either man, who are both priced at [3.00].

Top Batsman - Canada
Cheema is likely to see plenty of interest at [4.00] following his heroics against England but it pay to look towards the top of the order. Batting should be easier against the pacemen for Canada rather than the spin of Muttiah Muralitharan and co in the middle of the innings.

Jon Davison, renowed for World Cup heroics, is [4.50] but No 4 and skipper Ashish Bagai is by far and away their most consistent batsman. He is also priced at [4.00]

Other Featured Market
We hope for liquidity in the runs bet between Canada openers Nitish Kumar and Davison. Davison is different class with Kumar's record incredibly poor. Otherwise the [3.70] that there are five wickets in an innings may appeal. Murali could bamboozle Canada.

Best Bet: T Dilshan top Sri Lanka bat at [3.00]

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