World Cup Betting / Frank Gregan / 10 February 2011 /

It wouldn't be a Cricket World Cup without a couple of major upsets so favourite backers beware. But until we get under way, Frank Gregan reminds us of some of the biggest upsets from past editions.

Looking down the list of the teams competing in this year's World Cup there appears to be enough cannon fodder to keep General Melchett happy for a whole new series of Blackadder Goes Forth! The general perception is that Ireland, Kenya, Holland, Canada and to a lesser extent Zimbabwe are there to 'enjoy the experience' and make up the numbers.

There will be fearless, strong hearted Betfairians out there that will make Richard the Lionheart look like an angina sufferer as they willingly mop up the sub [1.05] prices available on the giants of the game when they are pitted against the minnows. But backers beware, this competition has thrown up more shocks than a dodgy toaster with faulty wiring!

24 February 2003 - Kenya V Sri Lanka, Group Match, Nairobi.

This was the history-making World Cup that saw Kenya reach the semi finals. Kenya had benefited from a New Zealand forfeit but the Africans still needed a win against another of the 'Big Eight' to be assured of Super Sixes qualification. It came against Sri Lanka after Kenya had posted a moderate total of 210 led by Kennedy Otieno, who top scored with 80. Everyone expected Sri Lanka to chase the target down but a superb spell of leg-spin from Martin Suji (during which he took 5-24) decimated the Sri Lankan attack. Sri Lanka were humbled by the minnows and dismissed for 157.

9 June 1983 - Zimbabwe V Australia - Group Match, Trent Bridge

This match features on just about every shock list compiled. The formidable Aussies humbled by Zimbabwe, who were playing in their first ever ODI. Their hero was Duncan Fletcher, who came into bat with the innings spluttering but steadied the ship with a well constructed 69 to post a modest total of 239. It was 60 overs a side back then and the run chase looked a formality for Australia as they reached 61 without loss. But Fletcher struck again, this time with the ball as he took 4- 42. Amazingly, the Aussies batted the whole 60 overs but fell short, amassing only 226 runs and still having three wickets in hand.

22 March 1992 - England V South Africa - Semi Final, Sydney Cricket Ground

Okay, this is not a conventional shock but I'm nominating this game because it produced not only one of the most jaw dropping incidents ever witnessed at a World Cup but the craziest thing I have ever seen during a lifetime of sport.

This was prior to Duckworth Lewis and the game had been a stop/start affair but it was going right down to the wire. South Africa were always in contention and needed 22 off 13 balls to win, it was the World Cup semi final and a real nail biter. Supporters of both teams had no use for All Bran or laxatives, nature was taking its course.

The heavens opened and a 12 minute rain delay meant that the total had to be revised. It was chaos, nobody seemed to know how the authorities would come to the revised total but when the players re-took the field the target had somehow become 21 off a single ball.

I was in Australia during the match, working with their Army and we watched it whilst on (what the Yanks would call) 'manoeuvres' - in the middle of the bush on a tiny TV wired up to a portable generator. The Aussies were raging at the injustice, goodness knows what the reaction was like in Johannesburg! It was an absolute travesty which caused great embarrassment to the ICC and led to the eventual employment of the D/L method.

So where's the big shock coming from this year? The Irish camp is pretty upbeat about their chances to make the Quarter Final and odds in the region of [12] look a sporting bet. One thing's for sure, there'll be a lot of winning trades at a bigger price than [12.0], the knack is knowing when to press the button and take on the Lionhearts!

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