Take a chance on the outsiders Sri Lanka in ICC Champions Trophy

Readers who followed our advice will already have both India and Sri Lanka after we recommended at the start of the tournament to take an Asian side to lift the trophy. It is a shame that both teams are meeting in the semi-final though it does guarantee one side in the final. India are the 8/5 (188 BET) favourites for the tournament as we enter the last four. Next comes England at 37/13 (888 SPORT), South Africa are 3/1 (GENERAL) and Sri Lanka are the 15/2 (sportingbet) outsiders. I think Sri Lanka are being overlooked here by the bookmakers and the experts. True they are the maybe the weakest of the four sides remaining though not to the extent that the bookmakers have them priced up at. Have a little interest in them at 15/2 (sportingbet).

Ryan McLaren has been one of the stars of the ICC Champions Trophy and one of the few guiding lights for a South Africa side that has been struggling. The 30-year-old has taken eight wickets in the three group games and even helped out with the bat putting on 71 not out against India. McLaren is a 16/1 (GENERAL) chance to be man of the match in the game between Engand and South Africa and as dual threat with bat and ball this looks great value.

The venue for the first semi-final is the Oval and this is a good ground for England who have won five of their last six ODI internationals including a victory over South Africa in August 2012. England have won 11 of their last 15 meetings at the ground with South Africa. The hosts then are probably the deserved favourites at 10/11 (GENERAL) while South Africa are evens (GENERAL).

One final bet to recommend in this game is in taking the 6/4 (ladbrokes) are offering on Alastair Cook to make a fifty. Cook has been in impressive form with the bat making fifties in his last two innings and the player has a century and a fifty from his last four ODI innings at this ground.

The second semi-final takes place Thursday and is between India and Sri Lanka. India have been very impressive in the tournament so far winning all three of their games while Sri Lanka have two wins and one defeat. Bookmakers naturally have India as the 13/20 (SPORTINGBET) favourites while Sri Lanka can be backed at 7/5 (BWIN).

The venue for the match is the SWALEC stadium in Cardiff where Sri Lanka struggled so badly in their opening game of this tournament. India meanwhile will have happy memories of the venue as this was where they put on 331 runs to see off South Africa. In addition India have the far superior head to head record winning six of the last seven ODI meetings between the sides.

Shikhar Dhawan has been the star with the bat for India this series and has top scored in all three games so far. He can be backed at 11/4 (ladbrokes/CORAL) to be top Indian batsmen or at 9/1 (GENERAL) in the man of the match market. Sri Lanka meanwhile will be looking for Kumar Sangakkara to continue his form with the bat and he is 3/1 (GENERAL) to be top Sri Lanka batsman.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Sri Lanka to win the ICC Champions Trophy, 15/2 (SPORTINGBET)
SILVER: Ryan McLaren man of the match in England v S.AFRICA, 16/1 (GENERAL)
BRONZE: Alastair Cook to make fifty runs, 6/4 (LABDROKES)

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20/06/2013     © Frixo 2026