Still all to play for in the ICC Champions Trophy

Here is a guide to the best of the bets from the final games in the group stages of the ICC Champions Trophy as most teams still have something to play for.

The game Saturday between India and Pakistan is largely meaningless as India are already through to the last four while Pakistan are already eliminated. Well as meaningless as any game can be between these two bitter rivals can ever be. Despite India winning both games so far in this tournament and Pakistan losing both games it has to be worth a little interest in Pakistan winning this time around. Pakistan have lost just five of the last 15 completed ODI internationals against India and even when out of form can always find something special for their local rivals. The bowlers have been on form just the batsman have not so it would take one or two players to find something with the bat for Pakistan to get back on track. Throw in the fact that India have already qualified and 13/8 (paddy Power) has to be worth a little interest. I certainly could not recommend getting with India who are very short at 6/11 (888sport/BWIN) and could be tempted to rest a few players ahead of the last four.

You need a maths degree to work out qualification from major tournaments sometimes but the simple verdict is that England need a victory over New Zealand to secure their place in the last four following defeat to Sri Lanka on Thursday. Bookmakers have England as 4/6 favourites (paddy Power) to win the game despite the fact that New Zealand recently beat them 2-1 in an ODI series and the Black Caps can be backed at 13/10 (GENERAL). The weather is also something of a worry with the forecast for Sunday predicting a lot of heavy rain.

The best bet in this game might be in taking Bell and Cook to be the highest opening partnership at 8/11 (SKYBET/betfred/BETVICTOR) as both players have been in good form with the bat in this tournament. The New Zealand duo of Guptil and Ronchi meanwhile have been stugggling as openers. Ronchi in particular has struggled with the bat with a total of just 45 runs from his last five ODI innings. If nearer the time you can take on Guptil in a runs market bet then be sure to do so.

Australia and Sri Lanka will have a keen eye on the game between England and New Zealand Sunday as this will impact heavily on their qualification hopes. Before this game Sri Lanka had two points while Australia had just the one. Bookmakers have Sri Lanka as 4/5 (GENERAL) favourites for the game while Australia are 11/10 (boylesports) though this could change depending on what happens Sunday.

With so much up in the air until the conclusion of the England v New Zealand game it makes more sense to look at one of the side markets and I like the look of Clint McKay to be the top Australian bowler as he has been in the last two games. McKay has taken four of the eight wickets Australian has taken in the tournament at least two wickets in each of the last five ODI games for the ODI national team. SKYBET are the best priced on McKay at 4/1 and this looks the value.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Pakistan to beat India at 13/8 (paddy power)
SILVER: Cook and Bell to outscore NZ openers, 8/11 (SKYBET/betfred/BETVICTOR)
BRONZE: Clint McKay to be top Australian bowler v Sri Lanka, 4/1 (SKYBET)

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14/06/2013     © Frixo 2026