Australia and New Zealand will host the cricket World Cup from 14th February to 29th March and whilst the 50-over format may feel a little forgotten these days, this event is sure to be hugely enjoyable. We take a look at the main contenders and compare the latest and best betting odds, as well as making our predictions for what we think will transpire Down Under while bowling up the best World Cup betting tips around.
This will be the 11th World Cup and the second time that Australia and New Zealand have shared the event, following on from their co-hosting the 1992 tournament. Pakistan beat England in the final then but this time around we predict fewer surprises and a far stronger showing from the home nations.
The men who set the odds agree, with Australia favourites in the betting at odds of 2/1 with Paddy Power, while their antipodean cousins are third favourites at odds of 11/2 with Sportingbet. Some pundits are even predicting an Australia v New Zealand final and at decent odds that's a bet worth considering, although here we will focus on the outright winner betting.
Sandwiched between the hosts in the betting are South Africa, who have never won the World Cup despite often appearing to have had a real chance of doing so. Australia are by far the most successful side in the history of the event, having won it four times, in 1987 and then three in a row from 1999 to 2007. With final appearances in the inaugural 1975 tournament and also in 1996 they have at least made the final 60% of the time they have taken part - impressive stuff!
After a brief, all too brief for many cricket fans, period in the doldrums, Australian cricket has bounced back with a vengeance. The Aussies are now ranked second in the Test standings, first in the ICC ODI table and fourth in the Twenty20 table. On home soil and with just about everything in their favour we feel 2/1 are, frankly, outstanding betting odds and the co-hosts look a superb bet in the outright winner market.
The Aussies have an almost insane amount of batting firepower, as they showed when a virtual second XI chased down England's 303-8 in the recent tri-series. That alone may be enough to see them home but throw in some super-fast bowling and an iron will to win - along with the home advantage - and we simply have to make Australia our main World Cup betting tip.
If anyone can stop the Australians it could well be South Africa, who, like the favourites, have a superb mix of fine, powerful hitters and superb quicks. We predict South Africa will impress early on but their history of crumbling when it matters is against them so at odds of 10/3 we have to pass them over.
New Zealand, as said, should also go well, especially on the slower wickets at home. They have never made a World Cup final and that could change, especially if Kane Williamson has a decent tournament.
England are the fourth favourites and could surprise a few at nice odds of 10/1 with Bet365 in the outright betting. However, the ease with which Australia brushed them aside in the recent tri-series tells you all you need to know and, whilst odds of 2/1 might appear short, we predict Australia will make them seem huge once the dust has settled on the 2015 cricket World Cup.