The World Cup is here! We’re in for 6 weeks of spectacular cricket. England head to India as defending ICC World Cup Champions and will have high hopes of retaining their title, one ‘last dance’ for a golden era of white ball cricketers.
In the world of cricket, only the legendary West Indies team of the 1970s and the formidable Australians have managed to successfully defend their World Cup titles, with the Aussies accomplishing a remarkable three-peat.
As the tournament unfolds, India stand as the host nation and favourite in the cricket odds. Brace yourself for an unforgettable stretch of cricketing excitement in a nation where the sport is nothing short of an obsession. Who will fight their way to the summit at the foot of the Himalayas, who will beat the raging traffic in Chennai, and who will go all the way in this year’s ICC Cricket World Cup?
With our BetPlus+ promotion, you can enjoy bigger and better odds on selected events each week! Keep your eyes peeled for the BetPlus+ logo on our selected events and start reaping the rewards today.
ICC World Cup Preview
The tournament itself is a day format, which consists of 50 overs a side per team, per game. All 10 teams will play each other in a round-robin group stage. This seems like a crazy system, like a kid’s summer football tournament, but load it up and watch it throw out some bizarre results. Teams will get two points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero for a loss.
Once all 10 teams have played each other, the top four scorers are put into semi-final slots. First will then play fourth with second playing third. As you can see there isn’t really a huge bonus for finishing first or second as you all just end up in a 2 game straight shootout for the trophy. A pretty bonkers system that ends with one side being crowned ICC World Champions!
The 48 matches at this year’s World Cup will be spread across 10 different venues in India. The World Cup was last held in India back in 2011 – when the home side went on to lift the trophy. India is known for its tricky, spinning wickets and fairly low-scoring pitches.
The home side will be suited to these conditions; however with a huge number of players participating in the IPL every year, the vast majority will be used to playing in these conditions. However, it does still give the home side a slight advantage and one they will hope to exploit.
World Cup: The Favourites
India
They’re the hosts, the number one ranked side, a roster stacked with generational talent, backed by a fanatical fanbase in their home country. Shall we just call it now? India have batsmen who can set this tournament alight, as well as bowlers who can shut down even the best of players, dealing on wickets they know like nobody else. For the host side, their biggest competition might be pressure itself.
Virat Kohli had the captaincy taken off him a few months ago but is still an enigmatic, almost mystical creature in amongst their plethora of talent. With this being his final World Cup, this is a chance to put himself firmly in the greatest ever discussion.
Shubman Gill, at the age of 24, will be looking up to Virat, but also ready to take over as the new talisman of this side. He has over 1,900 ODI runs to his name at an average of 66.10. Not only is the batting monumental, but a bowling attack including Mohammed Siraj and Ravichandran Ashwin is enough to make any top batters’ palms sweaty.
England
For this England side, it really is the curtain call after an unbelievable era that has made even the most stubborn fans fall in love with this team and style. They are the first side to hold both the T-20 and ODI World Cups at the same time; an era of dominance exemplified in the most plain way… having all the World Cups at once.
But, all good things must one day come to an end. Or do they? They couldn’t go back to back, could they? The unwavering self-belief of this side makes me think they could well do it. For the players who’ve survived since that 2019 final: Jos Buttler ©, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood, and Chris Woakes, they’ve done it before.
Jos Buttler is the MVP of white ball cricket and superman Ben Stokes is the premier clutch player in World cricket. Backed up by the up-and-coming talents of Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, and of course PCA young player of the year Harry Brook, it’s a chance to cement themselves in the cricketing hall of fame. A revolutionary side looking to walk off into the sunset with a trophy aloft. It would be a dream ending, but there’s a long way to go yet.
Australia
The Aussies have won four of the last 6 World Cups. They are the Germany of cricket championships. No matter their form, roster, or conditions, they are always there or thereabouts. Although this side did take a beating from both the South Africans and Indians in the leadup, you just can’t keep them out once the real stuff starts.
Much like England, this Australian setup has a few players ageing, but ageing well. Mitchell Starc is closing in on his 34th birthday but has been the leading wicket-taker in both of his World Cup appearances with an overall record of 49 wickets at 15. He has all the tools to be the ultimate menace to any batting lineup, whether that’s England or the Netherlands. The ever-mercurial Steve Smith will have his eyes on runs, runs, and nothing but runs. Marnus Labuschagne and a re-born Mitchell Marsh will also bolster the batting lineup.
For the Aussies, it’s a chance to follow the great sides that have come before them. Although they might not have the unbeatable aura of Ponting, McGrath, Warne, and the rest of the spellbinding team that one this trophy three times in a row, it’s in the DNA of this great cricketing nation, and you’d be silly to ever write them off.
Dark Horses
New Zealand
It’s weird to put a side as good as the Kiwis in the dark horse section. A side that’s been runners-up in the last two tournaments and one of the best sides to ever play. Losing to England by the barest of margins in a game they would win 99 times out of a hundred.
However, they are a side that has now gone fully over the hill and is making its descent down the other side. Have they got one more big tournament in them before this brilliant side hangs up its pads for good? I, personally, would love to see them do well because, quite frankly, they deserve it.
Afghanistan
After an unbelievably tough time for the country in general, everyone wants to see this side light up the World Cup and claim some big scalps. The Indian pitches will suit their game, and with the ever-present Rashid Khan in the attack, they will always have chances to win matches.
However, they have been underperforming at major tournaments of late, so this will be a chance for them to come good and put a statement down that they are a real force to be reckoned with. We’ll wait to see how they go.
Cricket World Cup Betting Tips
Top Indian Batter: SS Gill @ 3.25
The young Indian is fast becoming a great. A glorious player to watch and an absolute run machine. In a side with so much talent, he still stands out. He, for most people, is the player to watch this tournament. On pitches he knows so well, he could score them in boatloads.
Top Tournament Run Scorer: MB Azam @ 11.00
Babar Azam is a Pakistani great and has yet to really put his mark down on the biggest stages. There’s a possibility this could be his crowning glory. When he goes, he goes big. Not talking 50s and 100s, but doubles. If he can get himself going against a couple of the smaller sides then records could be set, he’s that good.
Name the Finalists: India vs Pakistan @ 9.00
It would be a showdown for the ages. This would rely on Pakistan having a good group stage which wouldn’t be surprising. The conditions will play a huge part in this tournament and they are two sides that know how to get the most out of the pitches, and more importantly, how to bat on them.
Schedule
Group Stages
October 5th – November 12th
Knockout Stages (all times BST or GMT)
November 15th – First semi-final (08:30)
November 16th – Second semi-final (08:30)
November 19th – Final (08:30)
All matches will be shown live on Sky Sports.
When you choose NetBet Sport, you can enjoy a whole range of top quality sports and markets. Whatever you choose, always remember to bet responsibly. Here at NetBet, player wellbeing is our number one priority – check out our Responsible Gambling tips and tools page for more information.
