Cricket: Australia betting predictions, odds for ICC World Cup

Australia v India 3rd ODI

Australia’s odds for the 2019 ICC World Cup have plummeted after a string of outstanding performances and the return of shamed batsmen David Warner and Steve Smith.

Not long ago things were looking grim for the five-time ODI world champions but they conjured a come-from-behind 3-2 series win in India, then completed a 5-0 whitewash away against Pakistan.

Warner and Smith have returned from their 12-month bans for ball tampering in great form, and all of a sudden the Australians are among the teams to beat again at around 4.25 with top cricket bookmaker William Hill.

While Smith and Warner further strengthen a strong batting line-up that also includes such stars as Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja, Australia’s hopes may well rest with front-line bowlers Mitchell Starc and Patrick Cummins.

Starc was the player of the tournament in Australia’s home triumph in the 2015 ICC World Cup, and how he holds up on his return from a shoulder injury will be crucial. Cummins has shrugged off his own injury woes to be among the world’s best pacemen. That pair and spinners Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon form a solid attack.

The WGL is predicting where each of the 10 teams competing will finish in the ODI World Cup starting on May 30. We will also look at options in a few of the many betting markets available.

England and India still head betting to win the 2019 ICC World Cup final , with the late support coming for Australia and South Africa.

OTHER TEAMS:
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
Afghanistan
West Indies
South Africa
Pakistan
India
New Zealand
England

ALSO READ:
ICC World Cup 2019 betting guide
ICC World Cup 2019 leading wicket-taker
Cricket betting sites
ICC World Cup 2019 leading run-scorer
ICC World Cup 2019 player of tournament

Prediction: Where Australia will finish in the 2019 World Cup

WGL prediction: Second. A year ago Australia would not have been given much chance of defending their title. They were poleaxed 5-0 in a one-day series by England in England. But their recent form when they came from 2-0 down to beat India and the whitewashed Pakistan bodes well. Coming good at the right time.

Australia’s World Cup draw

June 1: Afghanistan v Australia, County Ground Bristol (d/n)
June 6: Australia v Windies, Trent Bridge, Nottingham
June 9: India v Australia, The Oval, London
June 12: Australia v Pakistan, County Ground Taunton
June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval, London
June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge, Nottingham
June 25: England v Australia, Lord’s, London
June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord’s, London (d/n)
July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford, Manchester (d/n)

Australia squad for the 2019 ICC World Cup

Coach: Justin Langer

Batsmen
Aaron Finch (captain)
David Warner
Usman Khawaja
Shaun Marsh
Steve Smith
Alex Carey (wicketkeeper)

Bowlers
Adam Zampa.
Jason Behrendorff
Nathan Coulter-Nile
Nathan Lyon
Kane Richardson
Mitchell Starc

All-rounders
Marcus Stoinis
Glenn Maxwell
Pat Cummins

Leading wicket-taker predictions for Australia

In betting on the leading wicket-taker overall at the ICC World Cup, Australian pacemen Patrick Cummins ($12) and Mitchell Starc ($13) are right at the pointy end. We expect those two to do most of the damage too. Cummins is the world’s top-ranked Test bowler and at No.6 in ODI rankings, while Starc was equal leading wicket-taker in the World Cup four years ago. If he can stay fit, they will form a real cutting edge for Australia. We probably won’t back them to take most wicket’s overall but will back Cummins at $3 to top Australia’s list.

Leading run-scorer tips for Australia

Australia have their main batsmen in rare form so this is a tough call. Former captain Smith is only $10 to be leading run-scorer for all comers, with Warner at $11. After a plain IPL campaign, Smith has made three successive 50s in warm-up matches and looks in great nick, while Warner dominated the IPL with 692 runs from just 12 innings, topping the list of run-scorers there. Throw in the rejuvenated Aaron Finch and in-form Khawaja and it just adds to the confusion. Maybe back Warner to be the leading run-scorer for the Australian team at $3.25.

Australia prediction – can the Aussies soar again?

As the five-time winners of the ODI World Cup, Australia know a thing or two about how to succeed on the big stage. Returning stars Steve Smith and David Warner can expect a torrid reception from the English fans, but the Barmy Army has always had plenty of ammunition for the Aussies anyway. Australia may enjoy all the focus being on England and India and seem certain to be there when the semi-finals are being decided.

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