2017 ICC Champions Trophy Betting Preview
The ICC Champions Trophy may not have the same fizz and appeal as the World Cup but with only the top-eight teams fighting for glory, there will be no shortage of excitement. England will host the tournament from June 1st – 18th.
The teams are slotted into two groups with Group ‘A’ comprising England, Bangladesh, Australia, and New Zealand. Group ‘B’ has India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and South Africa vying for supremacy. We look at the top three contenders for the title.
England
It is not often that England start as pre-tournament favorites for an ICC Tournament. However, this English side under Eoin Morgan has played aggressive and fearless cricket to become a top contender for the title.
Not just their aggression, England have all the bases covered. Joe Root and Morgan mix technique with aggression while the presence of all-rounders Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes gives them perfect balance.
Key players: Root, Morgan and Stokes
Threats: Poor form of Jason Roy and questions over middle-order
Banana peel: Bangladesh in group stage and playing spin in knockouts
TIP: Winner – Odds of $3.50 at Ladbrokes
Australia
The current World Champions will be gunning for a record third Champions Trophy title. Steve Smith and David Warner come on the back of a successful IPL participation, which augurs well for the Aussies.
More than their batting, their current bowling evokes fear among opponents. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and James Pattinson all fit and available is exciting for the Aussies. Middle-order fragility is a cause of concern as inexperience could cost them a deeper run.
Key players: Warner, Smith and Starc
Threats: Batting in swinging conditions and middle-order fragility
Banana peel: New Zealand in the group-stage and the England in the semis.
TIP: Semi-final. Odds on Australia winning the title – $4.33 at Ladbrokes
South Africa
Their record in ICC ODI tournaments may not evoke confidence but the Proteas are a force to reckon in the Champions Trophy. Any batting order that boasts of Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers should be a challenge for any bowling unit.
One favorable thing for South Africa is their ongoing three-match series with England as preparation for the series. While other nations have gone for practice matches, the Proteas have chosen their fellow title contenders to fine-tune their preparations.
With the exciting Kagiso Rabada and Imran Tahir staffing their bowling, the Proteas have all the ingredients to with the title.
Key players: De Kock, De Villiers and Rabada
Threats: Choking in knock-outs
Banana peel: India
TIP: Semi-final. Odds on South Africa winning the title – $5 at bet365
Exotics
TIP: Morgan to be top scorer of the tournament – $34 at Ladbrokes
TIP: Woakes to be top bowler of the tournament – $17 at Ladbrokes
TIPS ARE SIMPLY THE AUTHOR’s OPINION. ALWAYS GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY
