Time for an update on the latest Cricket World Cup top batsman odds, a summary of how the main contenders are getting on, and some top batsman predictions on who might be able to add some big runs to their tally.
The Big Mover – Jos Buttler – Around The +200 mark
“But this is a man who can go ballistic on any given day and if he gets the chance to bat first, could quickly get to 70 or 80 and get himself right back into contention. Those top batsman betting odds of his will quickly disappear if he gets runs against Australia at the weekend. “
That’s what we wrote on this very page this time last week. What happened next?
He made a mockery of Australia’s low total by smashing 71 not out in a small chase. It’s like he was playing on a different pitch to the Australian batters.
And for those who took those big Cricket World Cup batsman odds of +2500 on him last week, the best was yet to come.
As England’s other batsmen struggled on a tricky pitch against Sri Lanka, Buttler bided his time, slowly built an innings and then went absolutely berserk at the end. He reached a remarkable century by hitting the last ball of the innings for six to remain unbeaten on 101.
As it happens, he’s not actually top of the pile with his 214 runs. Sri Lanka pair Charith Asalanka (231) and Prabath Nissanka (221) are marginally ahead of him, but their race is run seeing as they’ve played all their games and their side has been knocked out. By the way, they also benefited by playing three more games than Buttler in the qualifying round.
The good news if you backed Buttler is that with England guaranteed a semifinal spot, he’ll play at least two more games if they make the semis, and three if they make the final. Given they’re the favorites, that’s very possible.
The (slightly) bad news is that next up he’s up against a strong South African bowling attack, including Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi. It won’t be easy getting lots of runs against them. But you can see why he’s the favorite.
Rizwan And Azam: Odds Of Around +230 Depending On Betting Site
And this what we said about the Pakistani Sportsbook pair last week:
“Afghanistan on Friday could be tricky, but they could fill their boots when they face far weaker bowling attacks in Scotland and Namibia, especially if they get to bat first.“
For those who backed one (or both, as per the suggestion last week), the good news was that they did bat first. Azam got 70 and Rizwan got 79, mostly on the back of an extraordinary last over where he went 4, 6, 4, 4, 4 and 2. So “just“ the 24 runs off the over.
Up next is Scotland in their final group game, where again their backers will be hoping they bat first and each get a chance to get to close to 100, should they hang around for 17 overs or more.
Like England, they’re guaranteed a place in the semis so they will play at least two more games. If as per our advice, you backed both of them at Cricket World Cup batsman odds of +900, you’re in an extremely strong position.
Indian Pair Sharma (+2700) And Rahul (+2300) Contenders … But With A Caveat
Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul were many people’s fancies to come close to being top batsman before the tournament began. And they will have been dismayed at how India lost both Sportsbook games and how neither of them were in the runs.
A glimmer of hope came in the form of a comprehensive win for India over Afghanistan that means India has a chance of still making the semis.
Better still, Sharma got 74 and Rahul 69. They’re still way off the pace given they’re not up to 100 runs yet, but with matches against Scotland and Namibia coming up, they will have a good chance to add some big runs.
And now to the caveat. If New Zealand beats Afghanistan, they have no chance of progressing to the semis so they won’t be adding any more runs to their totals beyond the next two matches.
So, it’s up to you. If you think they can add 120 or 130 runs each to their total across the next couple of matches and that Afghanistan can beat New Zealand, now is the time to back them at some juicy T20 World Cup batsman odds. If not, best leave them alone.
Guptill Plays Himself Into Contention – Odds Of Around 9.0
During the week against Scotland, Martin Guptill hit a truly brilliant 93 against Scotland. Not that Scotland’s bowlers are up there with the likes of what England or Pakistan have to offer, of course.
But it was an incredibly hot day, truly exhausting work out there and apparently, Guptill lost a full four kilograms during that one inning!
With a match against Namibia up next, he had a real chance of closing in on the likes of Buttler, Rizwan and Azam but didn’t make the most of his chance, getting out for 18.
So, he’s currently on 148 runs and will face Afghanistan next where the likes of Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi will be eyeing up his wicket.
It’s a game where New Zealand knows that a win will see them book their place in the semis; defeat could still see them through on net run rate, though.
Guptill probably missed his chance by not getting many runs against Namibia and with hard games coming up, it won’t be so easy to cut the deficit.
His Cricket World Cup top batsman odds reflect that.
Top Batsman Betting Summary:
It’s pretty unlikely that the Sportsbook will come from outside the current “Big 3”. So, if you followed our advice last week and backed the two Pakistani run machines, sit back and hope they get runs and that Buttler doesn’t.
If you didn’t place those bets last week, the advice is to pick one of Azam or Rizwan at shorter odds and hope you picked the right one!