Live on Skysports 1: Tue 08.30: At just 1/20 (Coral), England are heavily expected to beat the Netherlands and avoid 2009’s embarrassment.
After a miserable ODI series in Australia, England drifted out to 11/1 with many firms for this year’s World Cup but even before they have played a game, they are back into 9/1 (Boylesports).
This may be due to some good showings from Collingwood and Pietersen in Friday’s warm-up, who will be key for English success, and certainly an opener like this will only be good for confidence.
At 1/20 (Coral), it’s impossible to back England on the outright and Netherlands backers, speculating at 16/1 (Betdaq), will have their fingers crossed for a repeat upset of 2009. That game was the more lottery-like T20 format and the Dutch are likely to struggle here. They have managed a few runs here and there in their warm-up games and will look to opener Alexei Kervezee to knock a few early runs, he is 9/2 to top score for the Netherlands (888sport), which is pretty high.
Stuart Broad has impressed in England’s practice games and his explosive 5 for 25 against Pakistan makes him a solid shout to take the most wickets for England at 3/1 (Ladbrokes). Stan James have quite an interesting 7/2 on Broad to be the most economical bowler. Graeme Swann is set to be a last minute inclusion, he is 7/2 (bet365) to take most wickets.
Kevin Pietersen is 3/1 with Totesport to top score in his new opening role while Matt Prior is a large 12/1 (Boyelsports).
Elsewhere, William Hill post 7/4 for a century to be scored and Skybet reckon it’s 4/11 for England to get the most sixes.
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