Persistent rain is public enemy No.1 for cricket fans and it hasn’t helped punters ahead of the World Cup in India.
Downpours deprived us of the chance to take a close look at the hosts playing England at Guwahati and gaining valuable insights into the form of the two favourites before the tournament starts on Thursday.
India head the market and will have a huge advantage if they reach the final in front of 120,000 fans packed into the stadium at Ahmedabad. Also in their favour is the fact the last three tournaments have all been won by the host nation.
That trend was continued four years ago when England squeezed past New Zealand in the most thrilling fashion at Lord’s and the defending champions have travelled to the subcontinent with a balanced squad who look more than capable of successfully defending their crown.
Their 15-man squad includes Harry Brook at the expense of Surrey opener Jason Roy, who misses out after losing playing time in the summer with back spasms, and the Yorkshireman could enjoy a formidable campaign.
He has just been named men’s player of the year by the Professional Cricketers’ Association after scoring 363 in the remarkable Ashes series against Australia and smashing the fastest century in The Hundred history.
Brook scored an unbeaten 105 for Northern Superchargers which included 11 fours and seven sixes.
That included three fours and a six off the final five balls to bring up his ton and is just the spirit under pressure needed to shine at the World Cup.
England are 10/3 with Betfred to win the final and Brook is 66/1 with Coral and Ladbrokes to be the tournament’s top runscorer.
The 24-year-old won’t be fazed by the conditions either as he was the first player to score centuries in both the Indian Premier League and the Pakistan Super League.
Australian paceman Mitchell Starc took a hat-trick in a warm-up match against Netherlands and is the 12/1 choice to take the most wickets in the tournament, while Ben Stokes is 16/1 with Sky Bet and StarSports to hit the most sixes.
• Paris Saint-German are 17/10 with Betfair to beat injury-hit Newcastle at St James’ Park while Manchester City are 10/13 with BetUK to win their Champions League match at RB Leipzig.
• Bristol City, Norwich, Sunderland and Coventry form Wednesday’s Football League yankee.
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