Cricket World Cup - Specials

In the top bowlers market, I’m going to go to England first where I think there’s a stand out bet in the shape of Grame Swann to be top bowler in the England camp. With James Anderson not nearly as great a threat in limited-overs cricket as he is in Tests, and Stuart Broad having to prove he can handle the slower tracks, he looks an excellent bet to take many wickets against Ireland and Holland and England will need him to fire if they’re to make a big impact in the tournament. Also, take him to be the most economical bowler in the squad.

In the Australia camp, it’s clear that Brett Lee is the standout. His pace has barely dropped at all since his heyday and he has all the guile and experience of a long international career to fall back on. He ripped England apart in the recent series, taking 16 wickets in total and he’ll be hard to stop even on the sub continental pitches.

I’ve already told you how much I think of Dale Steyn, who alongside Brett Lee is one of the world’s best quicks, and it’s hard not to fancy him to be the top South Africa bowler. His line and length make him easily the most likely to stop the likes of India and Bangladesh from scoring big totals, while a weak England batting line up looks there for the taking.

Of the whole Canadian team, only Rizwan Cheema made the shortlist for this year's Indian Premier League auction and has kept many Canadian totals respectable with a few good knocks. He top scored against the Sri Lankans at the weekend and can be the top Canadian Batsman.

As far as the total Top Bowler market goes, there’s some tremendous value. For reasons already advised, Dale Steyn will surely be hard to beat in the top bowler markets, while there’s every reason to believe that Brett Lee can take a lot of wickets in a weak group B before being the focus of Australia’s batting attack as they push for a fourth straight win in tournament. Also, have a poke at Lasith Malinga to be there at the death as well.

Regarding the Top Batsman market, Virender Shewag’s 175 has essentially made it a very attractive handicap market, with prices of 11/4 still making a lot of appeal, seeing as he’s going to get plenty of chances to score similar totals.

There’s some big prices still knocking about Shane Watson to be top batsman, while Kumar Sangakkara made 726 runs from just 17 ODIs in 2010 at an average of almost 50 last year, and I see no reason why he can’t go very close.

Advice

3 pts Virender Shewag to be top batsman (7/2 Skybet, Sportingbet, Stan James)

1 pt each/way Shane Watson to be top batsman (20/1 Totesport, Boylesports)

1 pt each/way Kumar Sangakarra to be top batsman (16/1 Boyelsports)

2 pts each/way Dale Steyn to be top bowler (14/1 General)

2 pts each/way Brett Lee to be top bowler (25/1 Boylesports)

1 pt each/way Lasith Malinga to be top bowler (16/1 Bet365, Boylesports)

2 pts Dale Steyn to be top South Africa bowler (9/4 Boylesports)

2 pts Brett Lee to be top Australia bowler (11/4 Totesport)

3 pts Rizwan Cheema to be top Canadian Bowler (3/1 Bet365)

4 pts Graeme Swann to be most economical England Bowler (9/4 Stan James)

4 pts Graeme Swann to be top England Bowler (11/4 Stan James)